Mathew Masinge
THE first mega event to honour and celebrate the life of the legendary Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi will be held at his Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton tomorrow and on Sunday.
A star-studded lineup including superstar Jah Prayzah, Mokoomba, Feli Nandi, Killer T, Bryan K, Gemma Griffiths, Gjembe Monks, Gwevedzi, Mary Anibal and Andy Muridzo will perform at the festival.
In other countries, it would also be the time to unveil his statue, which would tower over the industry, which he dominated, for years to come and to remind the next generation of musicians and fans of this giant.
Organisers of the bash say they are still learning and they have ruled out nothing in the next five years in which they will be holding their annual event to celebrate the immortal Tuku.
The national hero died on January 23, 2019.
He was 60 and was inducted into the Afro-Pop Hall of Fame.
Five years after his death, and amid the euphoria that has gripped the first big event to celebrate his greatness, and the lives he touched with his music, it’s probably appropriate, too, to ask the question: WAS TUKU THE GREATEST OF ALL OUR MUSICIANS?
Veteran music promoter, Josh Hozheri, said Tuku was the most accommodative, humble and inspiring artist he met during his lengthy time in the musical industry.
“For me, Tuku was the greatest musician to come out of this country and I am judging from my experiences with him as a promoter.
“He always had his doors wide open, he was very welcoming and professional in all our dealings, something which is lacking from today’s artists.
“His music spoke for itself and him and he was an international icon.”
Hozheri added:
“I was part of a team of promoters who engaged Tuku to have collaborations with local artists and his response was very good.
“We opened the door and he recorded duets with a number of local artists and he was never hard to get.
“I remember some time back when he offered to take me to a number of festivals in East Africa and to the Cape Town Music Festival where he wanted me to learn more skills about organising festivals.”
He said he was disturbed after the controversy related to the initial exclusion of Selmor Mtukudzi from this weekend’s events.
“To make sure the legend’s name was not dragged down in the mud, I took it upon myself to bring Selmor and Daisy to a table and they ironed out their differences.
“I am happy that Selmor is now part of the event and we are all ready to have a good time at the festival.”
He said he has also reunited Selmor and Piki Kasamba and the two will perform with the Black Spirits Band.
Another veteran promoter, Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, said:
“I would say he was one of the greatest as there are so many great artists in Zimbabwe.”
Musician Mbeu said:
“He was a father figure to me, he had a big heart and I feel he is the greatest I have ever come across in our country.
“He did not hold back all his knowledge and I grew up to become one of his best students.
“He allowed everyone to share the stage with him and to me that defines greatness.”
Musician Gary Tight said:
“He treated me like his own son and I enjoyed all our conversations, he was the best and he would not despise anyone by their looks, he was loved by many and he deserves to be called the greatest.”
Promoter Clive Malunga, of Jenaguru Music, said:
“If we’re to mention the greatest musician to ever grace the Zimbabwean stage, Mtukudzi is among a number of the best artists we had as a nation.
“He and Thomas Mapfumo stayed true to their course and gave us good music.
“I would like to describe this festival as a national event so people should come in their numbers and celebrate the life of mukoma Tuku.
“He gave us his best years so I am expecting people to support him.”
In interviews with the world media on his various tours, a similar theme emerged.
He kept saying music should entertain, give hope and life to the people.
If a song did not touch the hearts, he said, it could be a good composition not a good song.
He said where he came from, music must always have a message.
When CNN’s African Voices programme presenters asked him about being called the Spiritual Father of Zimbabwean music, he said that he could not call himself that but would not tell people to stop calling him that.
“However, as far as he was concerned he was just Oliver Mtukudzi, the music side.
“Tuku said as an artist he was above politics because he lifted the flag of Zimbabwe high as a whole.”
To some Tuku was a father, to others he was a mentor, to many he was a leader and to millions of Zimbabweans he was their superstar musician.
Tuku played traditional Katekwe which defined what became known as Tuku Music.
He mentored a number of artists including Munya Mataruse, Mbeu, Gary Tight, Sarungano, Donald Kanyuchi, Innocent Mupemba, Solution GC, and Watson Chidzomba.
This weekend, his life will be celebrated and, if he was alive today, he would have brushed aside any links to greatness because he was a humble man.