HARARE - Celebrated musicians Alick Macheso and Suluman Chimbetu are close to finalising their long-awaited joint show dubbed “End-of-Year Gig” to be held in December.

The two musicians’ alleged strained relationship has been a common media feature and was worsened when Sulu lured some members from Macheso’s Orchestra Mberikwazvo who included popular dancer Franco Slomo.

Two weeks ago, Macheso made a surprise appearance at the launch of Sulu’s fourth album, Syllabus, where the two “sworn enemies” informally agreed to a joint show before year-end.

Yesterday, Suluman told the Daily News that discussions on the high-profile gig were already underway.

We are still finalising the matter with Mudhara (Macheso) to hold an end-of-year gig meant to strengthen our relationship and give people an early Christmas present,” said Chimbetu.

William Tsandukwa, the Orchestra Mberikwazvo band manager also expressed Macheso’s readiness to hold a joint show with Sulu.

“I am still waiting for feedback from Macheso about the dates of the gig.

“We are ready to share the stage with Sulu. We are ready for this to happen because we are all Zimbabwean musicians”.

Tsandukwa blamed the local media for attempting to create a wedge between two of Zimbabwe’s most popular musicians.

“Sulu invited us to his album launch at Jazz 105. Macheso and some Orchestra Mberikwazvo members attended the event.

“The real problem comes from the media which is always sowing seeds of division among us musicians”.

The two stars’ rocky relationship deteriorated when Sulu poached guitarist Noel Nyazanda, backing vocalist Elton Muropa and the talented dancer Francis Dhaka better known as Franco Slomo early this year.

Nyazanda and Muropa have since returned to Orchestra Mberikwazvo.