Greatest of All Time or Goat is a term used to describe someone considered the best in a certain category, (frequently abbreviated GOAT.)
Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi was the Goat.
Why do I say this? Mtukudzi was a Zimbabwean musician who recorded over 65 albums in his lifetime. He is known to be Zimbabwe’s most renowned and internationally recognised musician of all times.
Tuku, who died on January 23, 2019, is arguably the most powerful creative force to emerge from Zimbabwe in the last three decades.
Carefully balancing compelling rhythms and accessible melodies with insightful lyrics, Tuku built a vast body of work that is politically and socially relevant, yet entertaining and accessible to a worldwide audience. Apart from recording 65 albums touching on all aspects of life, no other artist in Zimbabwe matches that level of achievement. He is the first artist to fill up the Harare International Conference Centre without help from outside.
He had built himself a repertoire of songs, which resonated with his many fans. These included Todii, Dzoka Uyamwe, Kunze Kwadoka, Pindurai Mambo. Mutserendende, Bvuma Wasakara, Ndagarwa Nhaka, Hear Me Lord. Zimbabwe, Mabasa and Ndine Mubvunzo, among others.
In his life time, Mtukudzi received the following awards:
1985-1988: One of the Best Selling Artistes in Zimbabwe
- I rejected Zanu PF scarf: Burna Boy
- NMB workers take on employer
- Mbavara eyes to resurrect Matavire’s music legacy
- I rejected Zanu PF scarf: Burna Boy
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1992: M-Net Best Soundtrack Award, for Neria.
2002: Kora Award for Best Arrangement, for the song Ndakuwara.
2002: Sama Finalist (Best Traditional/African Adult Contemporary DVD) Live at the Cape Town Jazz Festival.
2002 and 2004: National Arts Merit Awards (for Best Group/Male vocalist.
2003: Kora Award Winner for Best African male artist and Lifetime Achievement Award.
2003: Reel Award Winner for Best African Language.
2003: Honorary Arts Degree from the University of Zimbabwe.
2003: Nama Awards Best Group/Artist.
2004: Nama Awards Best Group/Artist.
2005: Nama Award National Arts Personality of the Year.
2006: Nama Awards Outstanding Album (Nhava).
2006: Zima (Best Music Ringing Tone Handiro Dambudziko).
2006: Zima (Music Ambassador)
2007: Nama Award Best Musician/Group.
2007: Cultural Ambassador — Zimbabwe Tourism Association.
2008: Nama Award (Outstanding Musician).
2009: Honorary MSc (Fine Arts) Degree awarded by the Women’s University in Africa.
2010: MTN Sama Awards post humorously recognising his son’s achievements in music.
2010: University of Zimbabwe and The International Council of Africana Womanism (ICAW) Award: recognition of his luminary role in uplifting African women through his artistic work – music and a diversity of art forms – offered as community development at his arts academy at Pakare Paye in Norton.
2011: Titled Zimbabwe’s first UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern and southern Africa.
2011: Honoured by the Government of Italy with the prestigious Cavaliere of the Order of Merit Award in recognition of his work as an international musician. (The award is what the Knighthood is to the United Kingdom).
2014: Honorary Doctorate (PHD) International Institute of Philanthropy. Doctorate: Degree in Human Letters.
2014: Honorary Doctorate from Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) – Doctor of Philosophy in Ethnomusicology & Choreography (Honoris Causa).
Tuku was highly recognised worldwide. He was subsequently buried at his rural home in Madziva after rejecting burial at the National Heroes’ Acre shrine.
In 2019, many members of the international community, including the following took to social media to express their condolences at the passing on of the superstar musician.
Here are some voices, accolades and tributes from well-known people:
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa – “Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of music legend & human rights activist Oliver Mtukudzi. He is immortalised through the contribution he made to the arts, with talent that fired up all of Africa. Deepest condolences to his loved ones. From his No 1 fan in the whole world.’’
Former South African President Jacob Zuma – “I am deeply saddened by the passing of the legend, Oliver Mtukudzi. His music has carried us through some of our darkest and happiest times, it has also united us across borders. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends. Zorora murugare, dear Tuku”.
Embassy of Sweden in Harare – “A star has left us. Our condolences go out to the Mtukudzi family as a nation on the passing of legend, superstar Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi. His music, unwavering dedication and commitment in achieving #gender equality and ending # child marriages will be greatly missed # MHSRIP”.
Al Jazeera – “Celebrated worldwide, Zimbabwe’s most renowned Afro-jazz musician Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi came to prominence as a voice of the revolution fighting white-minority rule.”
Former Namibian president Hage Geingob called President Emmerson Mnangagwa and expressed his shock at the death of the star musician and expressed his deepest and sincere condolences.
The Sports, Arts, Youth and Recreation ministry described the music icon as a cultural ambassador par excellence, a mentor, a unifier, a social commentator and an exemplary family man.
With his gravelly voice and gentle guitar, Tuku captured the world with his songs which included themes on economic and political turmoil, the hopes and aspirations of everyday people and other aspects of life.
This achievement has not been matched by any of his remaining contemporaries to date. Thomas Mapfumo, Jah Prayzah, Winky D, Alick Macheso, Killer T, Ex-Q and many others are yet to achieve this Goat status.
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