Legacy lessons from late Tuku

There is a raging debate among historians, political scientists, academics and journalists around the world, particularly in Europe and the United States of America about Donald Trump’s legacy.
What’s Trump’s legacy? How will Trump be remembered; as the first president to be impeached twice? Are there positive accomplishments the Trump administration can take credit for?
The Americans are obsessed about issues to do with one’s legacy.
All their presidents, rather people that hold public office, have to leave behind some sort of legacy when they retire or die.
For instance, Zimbabwe has also been dealing with Robert Mugabe’s legacy. What is his legacy? A despot who killed his own people or a liberator, who went a step further and gave people back their land?
An educationist who built over 2000 schools, made education a basic human right – or a strongman who held on to power at all costs and stifled dissenting voices?
As the world remembers Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, who died on January 23, 2019; what can be said to be his legacy?
Could his legacy be defined by such issues as the Mwendi Chibindi story – a tale of cheating, bed-hopping, denial, or it is that of a man who could not reconcile who he was as a father, husband and celebrity.
How does Selby Mtukudzi, his son born out of wedlock remember his dad, who never acknowledged him, for instance? How does Sandra remember her a father who left her in an empty house in Kwekwe to move to Norton with her stepmother without even saying a word when she was just a child?
How does Melody Murape, his first wife, the mother of his two daughters Selmor and Sandra remember him? What is his legacy in her eyes?
How does Daisy – his widow, the one that travelled the world with him, built an empire with, nursed him when he was sick, was left behind to mourn, pick up the pieces and swim in riches remember her husband? How does she remember the father of her two children?
Of course, the world got a glimpse of what former publicist Shepherd Mutamba managed to capture over several years of working with Tuku and the several interviews conducted – but who really was Oliver?
Tomorrow marks two years since Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi died. His Tuku Music stable is planning to unleash a posthumous album any time from now.
Had it not been for the coronavirus pandemic – they could probably have staged a massive gig. Just as he used to.
They say perhaps on September 22, Tuku’s birthday, they might do something.
What is his legacy to them?
Is a legacy something one can work on, develop and create like Tuku tried to do when he was grooming his late son Sam to take over or it is something those that will live long after you are dead decide on?
Leonard Dembo, Simon Chimbetu, John Chibadura, Morgan Tsvangirai, Joshua Nkomo, Ian Smith, Dr Sibusiso Moyo etcetera – what are their legacies?
Did the fights in Tuku’s family cause his legacy to be in disarray? Or the fact that he groomed many talented artists at his Pakare Paye Arts Centre protect his legacy? Is a legacy one-dimensional?
Rest in peace Nzou Samanyanga, Oliver Mtukudzi – through your music millions learnt a lot, through your life many drew lessons, and in death a lot others have much to cherish and also to learn. Nhau/Indaba