‘The wounds are still fresh’: Artists remember Tuku

A lot has been written about the late Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi.
He was a leader and an artist par excellence, who assumed the role of a father to the Zimbabwean music industry through his contributions.
He associated with both the young, upcoming musicians and veteran artists.
Artists like Mbeu, Garry Tight, Vimbai Zimuto, Donald Kanyuchi, Cynthia Mare and Enock Munhenga aka ExQ have a lot to say about their memories of Tuku and of course, their interactions with the legend.
As the nation remembers the first Zimbabwean musician to be declared a national hero, Nhau took time to talk to some industry players in entertainment as well as his family, who reflected on his life.

Daughter and seasoned musician Selmor Mtukudzi, who continues with the legacy of Tuku Music, told Nhau that she cannot believe the time that has passed since the legend passed away, yet she stands tall, proud to be his daughter.
“It still feels like yesterday. I can’t believe it’s already been two years. My father was a hard worker who put his whole heart into the arts industry. I have been learning a lot from him even after his passing. So much information has been coming to me about who he was as a musician and the amount of work he put in, the sacrifices he made. I am super proud to be his daughter,” said Selmor.

Guitarist Josh Meck described Tuku as a hardworking man who was precise in his work and wanted perfection.
“Dr Tuku was one person who worked hard in his lifetime and never cut corners. I was privileged to have so many encounters with him through working together on a project called Mahube, a collective of Southern African artists.
“He was a cheerful, but sophisticated man full of deep wisdom – in Shona we say, kutaura pachikuru. I remember one day when I was still in school, I went to attend his concert at the Glamis Arena, and he invited me backstage for drinks during the concert break. To me that was a wow moment. A true legend.”

Netherlands-based Mbira player and songwriter, Vimbai Zimuto, who was part of Tuku’s Black Spirits for three years, said she hasn’t accepted that the legend is gone.
“I worked with Baba Tuku from 2007 to 2010. One thing that was unique about Mudhara was that it didn’t matter to him that he was that big, he communicated with everyone on the same level, he would talk with so much wisdom and present every opportunity he came across in a very humble way,” said Zimuto.
“I haven’t gotten over the fact that he is no more because of the fatherly figure he was to me. It seems like yesterday, we had a lot of plans … Some of us couldn’t even find the strength and energy to create something but I feel time will come when we shall give him a befitting farewell ceremony where we will talk about who he really was. We are still mourning, it’s still a fresh wound.”

His last manager and nephew, Walter Wanyanya, said working under such a great icon was amazing and educative.
“Working with Dr Mtukudzi was nothing short of amazing. He was very open to new ideas and I also learnt a lot from him. I had always worked with him but 2015 was when I took on more responsibilities. He taught me ‘hunhu’ Ubuntu to respect others always,” Wanyanya said.

KuChina the Genesis actor and events manager Patrice Muzvondiwa said: “Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi lives no more, we will always remember him. How can we forget the legendary proud Katekwe music guru? His music will live on for many generations to come. May you continue to rest in power Samanyanga. Rova ngoma mutavara wee.”

Musician Alexio Kawara said he learnt from the Perekedza Mwana hitmaker that appreciation of fans was key to the industry.
“Dr Oliver Mtukudzi for me is the true definition of persistence. I had the privilege to sit and talk with him and he gave me the best advice. He told me that our industry thrives on appreciation, so we should never take any of our fans for granted,” said Kawara.
“We should perform for one as if we are performing for many because that is how we grow. That is exactly how his graph rose. I also respect his originality, how he maintained identity in his music and how his music was pregnant with message. May his soul rest in peace.”

Popular Music producer Tapiwa Jera better known as Maselo said Dr Tuku was a warmhearted man who was always there to help.
“Tuku was a selfless person. He was a warmhearted person whose doors were open to everyone. He was always there to assist and guide the young ones.
“My experience with him was when we met at a festival in Botswana. He was actually chatting with us backstage and it felt like we were interacting with a friend. He never acted like a celebrity around us. That’s the kind of person Tuku was,” said Maselo.

Said Mbeu: “The death of Tuku remains a loss to the world and even a bigger one to some of us who were blessed to be around him at Pakare Paye Arts Center. He was a man of wisdom.
“Some of the advice he gave us keeps making sense in our day-to-day lives in the industry. Some of the meanings we get to understand today. He had deep wisdom that was unmatched.”

Cynthia Mare said Tuku was like a father to her.
“To me Tuku was like a father. He always supported me even before I released any music and always gave me advice whenever I saw him. The best advice he gave me was for me to be myself in my music,” said Mare.
“I feel privileged to have known him, and very sad that we lost him. I’m also very proud of the work he did and the path he paved for us musicians to follow.”

Tuku, who died at Avenues Clinic on January 23, 2019, was gifted with a deep and raspy voice plus a talent for writing songs that reflected the daily life struggles of ordinary people.
But it was his dedication to the live music scene in Zimbabwe – playing to enthusiastic audiences even in the remotest parts of the country – that earned him the respect and admiration of the people.
Tuku’s desire to bring his message to a wider audience led him to venture into the worlds of film and stage. He sang in the nation’s dominant Shona language along with Ndebele and English.
He also incorporated elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style, known to fans as Tuku Music.
His music made a mark in almost every home in Africa and he became an icon because of his persistence and hard work. Nhau/Indaba