Friday, 25 January 2019

The Spirit of the Legend Lives On (in honor of Dr Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi)


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!!!

#dhukufortuku  #yourspiritliveson #olivertukumtukudzi






2 comments:

Sorry to judge, I can only imagine what you have gone through...

                To you whose life I broke through my words...                                                 ðŸ’”💔💔 I am sitting here t...