Tuku concert unites family

By The Standard | Jul. 28, 2019

Tuku, Nzou, Samanyanga, Senior Superstar, national hero, Dr Mtukudzi or whatever you called him, Oliver Mtukudzi was a legend. The response to the news of his death from all over the world is testament to his iconic status, Zimbabwe’s gift to Africa and beyond.

Selmor and Sandra Mtukudzi perform at the recent Tuku Tribute Concert

In the groove with Fred Zindi

Last week’s Tuku concert held at Belgravia Sports Club seemed to have united the Mtukudzi family. Despite debilitating factors such as poor publicity, the cold weather, glitches with EcoCash and POS machines at the venue, the choice of venue, where Belgravia residents cannot tolerate loud music after 10pm and the fewer than expected number of people who attended the event, the concert was, in my eyes, very successful in bringing together all the musicians and family members who mattered. Kudos to the Youth, Sports and Recreation ministry in conjunction with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe for putting this together.

Samantha Mtukudzi (daughter of Daisy and Oliver Mtukudzi) was there singing with the Black Spirits who were assisted on vocals by Alexio Kawara. Selmor Mtukudzi and Melody Murape (Sandra and Selmor’s mother) of were also present. Beaulah and other Mtukudzi sisters were present. All the Mtukudzi siblings were at the concert. Music promoters Josh Hozheri, Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, Thompson “TD” Dondo and DJ Nosh of 2Kings Entertainment also attended the tribute concert.

However, Daisy Mtukudzi, who should have been the central figure in charge of this family unity, was conspicuous by her absence.

On February 24, 1979, Oliver Mtukudzi got married to Melody Murape with whom he had two children, Sandra and Selmor. In 1981, he met and married Daisy Kudzai Mashonga with whom he also had two children, the late Sam Mtukudzi, who died in a car accident in 2010, and Samantha. Melody refused to be in a polygamous union. She later filed for divorce in 1986 which was eventually granted seven years later in 1993.

After Tuku’s death, reports that a law firm had filed with the Master of the High Court, Tuku’s final will which bequeathed all movable and immovable property to his surviving spouse, Daisy, while leaving out all his children, stirred controversy.

Although Selmor and Sandra are uncomfortable talking about this, the so- called dispute in the Mtukudzi family over inheritance to his estate seemed to be unresolved just like the Nelson Chamisa and Thokozani Khupe dispute in the MDC party before the 2018 elections.

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Beaulah, Oliver’s sister, on being asked about her brother’s life and decision to bequeath his estate to one person, remarked: “My brother Oliver’s first love was music. But I am not sure now, which one between music and Daisy.”

I then asked Sandra to say something about the significance of the Tuku Tribute Concert and how she felt about the family disputes. She had this to say: “It is an emotional event. We still can’t believe that our father is gone. But we are, however, pleased to know that there are people here today who really appreciate our dad. I am not comfortable to talk about the family disputes. My sister and I just decided we should move on and we are doing exactly that.”

I know that conflict can happen when family members have different views or beliefs that clash. Sometimes conflict can occur when people misunderstand each other and jump to the wrong conclusion. Issues of conflict that are not resolved peacefully can lead to arguments and resentment. Communicating in a positive way can help reduce conflict so that family members can reach a peaceful resolution. This usually means that everyone agrees to a compromise or agrees to disagree. This was the thinking behind this concert and the Tuku siblings, in-laws and aunties were seen giving each other friendly hugs. On this occasion, the family that Oliver left behind seemed united. It was family unity day. Indeed, Oliver was a unifier. He not only unified the Mtukudzi family, but he also united local and regional musicians. Zexie Manatsa, who is father of Tendai, Selmor’s husband, came to the tribute concert together with his wife. They took the fans down memory lane when he sang Chipo Chiroorwa Tipemberere, Makepekepe and Ndinoda Tea Hobvu. Other musicians who heeded the call to participate in the Tuku Tribute Concert included Berita Khumalo and Steve Dyer from South Africa, while Stewart Sukuma Mozambique who kicked off with a Marabenta tune before belting out Tuku’s tunes which included Todii and his collaboration song with Tuku titled Guardians of the Light. In the absence of Tuku, Sukuma was assisted by Mbeu in the song. Ammara Brown was also there and she gave a mbira performance with Dyer.

It was Selmor and her band comprising Never Mpofu on bass, Freedom Manatsa on drums, Tendai on guitar, Sandra on vocals and Piki Kasamba that dazzled the crowd as they choreographed the old Tuku moves in songs such as Hear Me Lord, I am Feeling Low and Tozeza Baba.

Other performers were Bob Nyabinde, Sandra Ndebele, The Charambas, Munya Mataruse, Juntal and Bonnie Deuschle.

The Munya Mataruse band, which played Tuku songs from top to bottom, also brought the house down. Ndebele wowed the crowd with her incredibly raunchy and dazzling dance moves which showed off her fancy footwork.

Charles and Amai Charamba came immediately after Nyabinde’s performance and they also delighted the audience. After playing their original tunes such as Machira Chete, Charles invited on to the stage what he referred to as the “old guard” (myself included) comprising Nyabinde, Zexie Manatsa, Albert Nyathi and Mechanic Manyeruke to sing Tsuri.

Other musicians Ex-Q and King 98 gave well-executed performances.

Towards the end, dancehall stars Killer T and Enzo Ishall gave mesmerising performances to a slightly-thinning venue, while they struggled during their performances to keep the police away who were anxious to shut down the event at 10pm.

More Tuku tribute concerts are planned for this year starting with the Chipaz Promotions one in September.

Tuku was indeed Zimbabwe’s greatest music icon.

Feedback: frezindi @gmail.com