ON Monday February
18 at 6.23pm, a statement appeared on the Tuku Music Official Facebook page,
part of it read; “We would like to distance ourselves from any events or
gatherings that are being held in the name of the Mtukudzi family as we are
still grieving.”
For the next 48 hours, the statement would cause an uproar
on social media as a one-sided debate raged with the bulk of comments attacking
Daisy Mtukudzi, the widow of the late Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, for seemingly
trying to stifle the rise of her talented step-daughter, Selmor.
Observers saw the statement as a pre-emptive strike by
Daisy — as corporates, promoters and music fans in general seem to be
sympathising with Selmor and Sandra, Dr Mtukudzi’s daughters from his first
marriage.
Dr Mtukudzi died on January 23 and was laid to rest on
January 27 at his rural home in Madziva, about 23 kilometres along the
Bindura-Mt Darwin highway.
The question of who should carry on with the legend’s
musical legacy has occupied public discourse since his death, with Daisy
herself, her daughter with Dr Mtukudzi, Samantha, and Mtukudzi’s daughter with
first wife Selmor, being touted as possible candidates.
Insiders have pointed out that Selmor has been receiving a
lot of attention from potential sponsors and promoters, and that there could be
a massive tribute show on the cards headlined by the “Nguva Yangu” hit-maker.
This is said to have prompted Daisy and her advisers to issue a statement
pointing out that any event without her blessings would be illegitimate.
Read the statement: “We are still trying to come to terms
with the loss of our pillar of strength and as such we have not engaged any
organisation or individual to organise, plan any events on behalf and for the
Mtukudzi family here in Zimbabwe and elsewhere. All events that have the
endorsement of Tuku Music and the Mtukudzi Family will be posted on the
official Tuku Music social media pages, the first such official event being the
Cape Town Jazz Festival that Dr Mtukudzi was meant to have performed at this
year and the show will now be a celebration of his life in music by his backing
band the Black Spirits.”
Ironically, family in this instance, only refers to Daisy
and her children Samantha and Faith aided by the shrewd Tuku Music manager
Walter Wanyanya. The rest of the family, including Selmor and Sandra, who
represented the Mtukudzi family at a tribute concert last month held at the
Jo’burg Theatre in South Africa are not part of the decision makers.
Even when the shocking decision to put on ice a Government
planned peace memorial concert in honour of Tuku was made, Selmor and Sandra
were not consulted. Sources said senior officials at the National Arts Council
of Zimbabwe, which was part of the team tasked by Government to put the event
together were left fuming after realising that stopping the event had nothing
to do with respecting the mourning period but a unilateral decision made by
Daisy possibly to spite Selmor.
Besides feeling that people are trying to milk from her
husband’s death, sources said Daisy was worried the Government planned event
would endorse Selmor as the heir of the Tuku legacy, musically, and send her on
her way to international stardom.
It is said Daisy and her strategists are hoping that after
the Cape Town Jazz Festival, which takes place on March 29 and 30, The Black
Spirits and a leader of Daisy’s choice, will be in a better position to give a
good account of themselves when the Government-funded peace concert is finally
held in April.
However, in a bizarre turn of events, Daisy opened the
doors to Pakare Paye Arts Centre, the place where Tuku spent most of his time,
for a musical commercial gig on Friday February 15, while telling everyone else
that the family needed time to mourn. Many more gigs are planned including the
resurrection of Tuku’s Dzvamutsvamu concept, a series of shows he did at the
arts centre featuring himself and a guest artiste.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail Society, Wanyanya refused to
comment on anything pertaining to the family, saying he represented Tuku Music.
He went on to pour cold water on reports that Samantha is set to take over as
the lead vocalist but said she was part of the band and the Black Spirits would
have “many lead vocalists”.
“Samantha has always been a part of the Black Spirits. She
is not there by privilege, she is there because she is a singer and has been
with the band for three years. It is mdhara (Tuku) who put her there.
“But I don’t know why you are not asking about Charles, who
is still the bassist, Fiona who does backing vocals or Rodwell who is on
electric guitar. Black Spirits will never die, chisipo ndiNzou chete (only Nzou
is not there),” said Wanyanya. Nzou is the late Mtukudzi’s totem, a moniker
used by friends, fans and family. He was also known as Samanyanga, which means
the same thing as Nzou, the elephant.
Added Wanyanya: “Tuku left a young band. They are here to
stay. No one is taking over Tuku’s position, no one can.” Efforts to contact
Daisy on her mobile phone were unsuccessful.
Contacted for comment, Tuku’s oldest daughter, Sandra, who
caused a stir at her father’s funeral in Madziva after she pointed out how
there were attempts to erase her mother, Mtukudzi’s first wife Melody, from the
programme and the musician’s life, chose only to speak about Selmor’s band,
which she manages.
“Yes we saw the statement on Facebook. We are not sure to
whom it was directed or what it means but one thing for certain is that Selmor
and her band will continue doing what they have been doing for over a decade.
“When dad died, Selmor was actually in England for a tour.
So we will continue working as we have done over the years. We will mourn and
honour our father the best way we can. His legacy lives,” said Sandra, who is
also Selmor’s backing vocalist.
Just like the splinter Chimbetu bands, separately led by
Allan, Suluman, Tryson and Douglas — beneficiaries of the Oliver Mtukudzi
musical brand are likely to be as many. There are also plenty of interested
parties — from his own children, his widow, to former band members and music
promoters. Having groomed a number of young musicians at his Pakare Paye Arts
Centre, it would not be surprising if any one of them or more, decided to
pursue the popular Tuku Music path with vigour in order to reap more from the
often stingy and unforgiving local music sector. Sunday Mail
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