I am coming here
today with a broken heart, which I know the rest of the world also is. We are
joining together in mourning the loss of a legend to all of us. I am
disheartened by the loss of the great Dr Oliver Mutukudzi, who touched the
lives of people through his legendary music. He was authentic, original,
unique, humble, in short a legend that has left a great mark in this world.
Today the Zimbabwean people joined in solidarity to do the #dhukufortuku day
where anyone who felt to express their honor to Tuku had to wear a turban
(doek/dhuku) of any color (mostly black for others) and wear all black symbolizing the loss of our hero. The “dhuku” which is a turban in Zimbabwean
culture is mostly worn by women (and men in other cultures) as a sign of respect,
humility and modesty. And today we had to honor Dr Tuku and pay our respect
through this movement.
Dr Oliver Mtukudzi( photo cred: Unknown) |
I grew up admiring
Tuku Mtukudzi because of his uniqueness and his embrace of the Afro fusion
Jazz that most part of my life I loved listening to. Every other person who can
speak Shona and English can testify how his lyrical content was deeply
meaningful, resembling the day-to-day life events, it was rich, deep and
touching , and talk about his type of music in general, it was very unique and
represented Zimbabwe as a country itself. Like most girls I told my mama” I want Tuku to
sing on my wedding”, and I really wanted him to.
I got so excited one time when
I had that it was his birthday and he looked for a couple to bless with his
band as a wedding gift. I thought this one whole legend and that so much
goodness had to do that, for people that he didn’t even know, for free, this is
amazing, it can only be Tuku. And I thought one day this could be me. It is
unfortunate he had to leave and that dream will only remain that, a dream, I
still have the greatest gift he left me though; multiple recordings of his
unique amazing signature voice. His
legacy shall live forever in our hearts and ears and the rest of the world. Long live your caring heart Dr Tuku (Zororai
Murugare Nzou Samanyanga), your name shall live forever and our kids will know
you by never meeting you in person but through your beautiful music, how cool
is that?
My deepest
condolences to his immediate family and the rest of his Zimbabwean family, we
shall honor him till the end of time.
This challenges us as
human being to use our talents to change the world and make it a better place.
Music is life, and it heals the wounds only love can touch and Dr Tuku managed
to do that to most of us if not all. Just like I mentioned in my previous post,
it is a gift back to the universe to use our talents for better and who else
other than our legend Tuku could set a better example. I was shocked by the
solidarity I witnessed today in the city of Harare, where the people of
Zimbabwe painted the city black in honour of Dr Tuku as well as the amazing
doeks that were in most women’s heads. I am touched, motivated and inspired by
the effect Dr Tuku had in Zimbabwe. Today we celebrate our lost hero, and the
amazing works he did in Zimbabwe and the world over.
photo cred: unknown |
For those who might not know the person I am
talking about, His name is Oliver Mtukudzi who is an African son born and bred
in Zimbabwe (FROM::September 22, 1952, Highfield, Harare) and left his mark all
over the world (TO: January 23, 2019, The Avenues Clinic, Harare). I am
speaking of him in present term, because to me and the rest of Zimbabwe his
spirit lives on. He is a great Afro- Jazz musician, with the most unique voice
ever in Zimbabwe, far and beyond and he proudly carried his Zimbabwean heritage
through his voice all through these years.
I personally feel like he had that Tuku effect that no one ever will
forget about his voice, it still rings so loud in my head and I am so grateful
I was born after he started his music and I had to experience his
amazingness through music.
In one of his interviews he said the following:
"My 67th album is meant
to share a message of introspection and I am hoping people learn a thing or two
from it. It’s an Album I wrote last year after I realized that the world keeps
getting tangled up in unnecessary problems all because we are focused on
competing and being better than the next person. In so doing we keep stepping
on each other’s toes but that this is not how God created us. God meant for us to complement each other, that’s
why he didn’t duplicate talent” (TshisaLIVE
Last interview with Oliver Mtukudzi: Times LIVE)
I feel this
statement need not me explain further on it, it is all the word we need for the
next 20 years to come as far as working together whilst using our talents for to change the world is
concerned.
photo cred:Unknown |
After the realization
that life is this short, let us all remember to take the greatest lesson of a
lifetime that our hero have left us; there is so much that your talent can do
to change the world, if you use it well and maintain consistency and
continuity. He lifted the flag of Zimbabwe so high into the sky, and left a
challenge for all of us, to follow his steps. May your soul Rest in Peace Dr
Tuku Mtukudzi. You will live forever!!!
may his soul rest in power..indeed he was great
ReplyDeletethat is true Meg,He definitely will be remembered!!!
Delete