By Philip Mataranyika -(Nyaradzo Group CEO)
On the south-western side of the capital city Harare, lies
one of Zimbabwe’s oldest suburbs, Highfield, whose name was derived from
Highfield Farm on which it stands. The sprawling high- density suburb which was
established way back in 1935, is endowed with a rich history that stretches
from arts, sport, and politics to business, health and many others.
Fiyo, as it came to be known became a symbol of resistance
against the white minority rule in the 60s and 70s, right up to the time of
independence. The suburb became a hub of several significant political
movements including the formation of ZANU in 1963 at the home of the late
nationalist Enos Nkala. Their activities in conjunction with those led by ZAPU
under Dr. Joshua Nkomo gave birth to independent Zimbabwe in 1980. With
uprisings predominantly in Fiyo and other populous townships such as Mbare and
Makokoba in Bulawayo; where nationalist movements fed up with Ian Smith’s
colonial rule launched their fight against colonialism.
To add to its historic significance, Fiyo is home to a
number of prominent people as it has been a cradle of immense talent, cutting
across academia, business, arts, and sport. Among the finest to emerge from
Highfield was the great Oliver Mtukudzi, born September 22, 1952.
Born and bred in Fiyo myself, I was privileged to know this
towering, lanky musician with a distinctive husky voice in the early years of
his musical career. I came to know “Tuku”, as the multitudes of his fans would
later call him, through a childhood friend- Tafadzwa Mazarura, when I was at
Tsungai Primary School. Tuku and Tafadzwa were cousins and it is through him
that I too became close to Tuku and remained so until January 23, 2019, when he
lost his battle to diabetes.
As youngsters growing up in Fiyo, Mukoma Oliver, as we
affectionately called him was a Godsend, always there for us as a mentor and
inspiration, encouraging us to pursue our chosen career paths. We looked up to
him, and the likes of Albert Nhau, Nigel Munyati, Professor Matenga, Freeman
Kembo, Nigel Chanakira, Willard Zireva and Paul Mkondo (now late) to name but a
few as big brothers who we could rely on for guidance and inspiration.
These fine men were trailblazers in their respective
fields, offering a helping hand and advice when we needed them. Being around
such greatness and seeing the men they evolved into, inspired in us a burning
desire that God willing, one day we too would get our breakthroughs and just
like them achieve our dreams. It was from these great men and others that I got
the inspiration to start Nyaradzo Group, whose funeral services subsidiary
handled Mukoma Oliver’s funeral.
To this day, I still have fond memories of Tuku’s unending
love for his family, community, and his country at large. His charity work
started at home, spreading into communities across Zimbabwe and beyond our
borders.
For those of us who grew up in Highfield, he was always
just a phone call away, even long after he had relocated from Fiyo. Despite the
distance, Mukoma Oliver’s heart was always invested in events happening in
Highfield as well as those as a far afield as his home village of Madziwa,
offering a helping hand when called to.
I recall in one of his many acts of generosity, Tuku came
to our rescue at St. Marks United Methodist Church in the early 1990s when he
worked with another one of his cousins Tanyaradzwa Mazarura, and his friend
Munyaradzi Chatikobo, both members of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship to
produce our Junior Church Album “Don't Die”. The album was a brilliant piece of
genius that Oliver directed, managed and produced for free to help raise money
for the Junior Church. His generosity did not come as a result of being our
church member but as a reflection of his good heart, which pushed him to touch
many lives.
His four-decade musical history bears testimony to a career
well executed, distinguishing him from many musicians in Zimbabwe and abroad as
a global icon. In recognition of his renowned exploits in the arts sector, the
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) appointed him
as the Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa, focusing
on young people's development, and HIV and AIDS prevention. The recognition was
admirable and befitting to Tuku as it recognized his humility and heart as a
true champion of children’s rights.
His appealing voice, captivating guitar rhythms, and superb
dance moves made his live performances a one of a kind enthralling experience.
His music was about fighting for justice and raising awareness of social issues
affecting people on a daily basis, particularly around poverty and the stigma
associated with HIV and AIDS. The combination of these attributes made Tuku a
global performer par excellence, signified by him doing a number of tours
around the world to places such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, United
States and Canada where he performed before large audiences.
Mukoma’s passing has brought tremendous sorrow to the
entire Mtukudzi family, his wife Daisy, the arts industry, Zimbabwe and the
world at large. This pain runs deep as we all come together in prayer and
mourning on the passing of Mukoma Oliver, a true musical genius whose memory
and music will live on for decades to come.
Maiguru Daisy, we thank you for being by his side every
step of the way.
In your hands Maiguru, Tuku has bequeathed a rich legacy –
an inspiration to us all. May you please keep the flame alive as your heart and
soul find peace and comfort.
It hurts that in 2010 we tragically lost Sam and his
friend. Before our hearts could heal, God has called Oliver to be with Him,
leaving us poorer and even more emotionally wrecked. In our devastation, it
seems the heavens are rejoicing at our ultimate expense. Where do we find
solace? I guess such is life.
Simply put, Tuku was a man of the people. His genuine love
for his family, friends, colleagues, fans, and countrymen was so evident that
no-one could ever claim ownership of him.
My heart was warmed by the diversity and multitude of
mourners who poured in to express their condolences at his modest Norton home,
at the Pakare Paye Arts Centre and the National Sports Stadium all magnifying
his love and influence. The wondrous and mind-blowing cortege that also
descended on the sleepy rural area of Madziwa in Mashonaland Central to pay
their last respects to Tuku on January 27, 2019 bears testimony to the fact
that he indeed was one of Zimbabwe’s finest sons of the soil.
Politicians from across the political divide, business
people, civil society leaders, diplomats, academia and students were there to
join Mtukudzi’ s compatriots in the arts sector to mourn the passing of
Samanyanga – his totem – as his life and music were celebrated. To top it all
up, in the greatest honour of his legacy, the status of national hero was
accorded to him by the government of Zimbabwe, making him the first musician to
receive that honour.
In celebration of Tuku’s life, it is pleasing to note that
the Harare City Council (HCC) has borrowed a page from Norton Town Council
(NTC) book by naming Willowvale Road after Tuku whose life was cut short at the
age of 66, ironically with 66 albums to his name. NTC had long named the road
to Tuku’s residence after the musician in honour of his contribution to the
town and country.
For us at Nyaradzo, Tuku's Chapel service was done at our
Willowvale Road branch which took its name from the road. Now that the road has
been renamed to Oliver Mtukudzi Road, it follows that our branch will from now
on be known as Oliver Mtukudzi Road branch, isn’t that amazing? It is both an
honour and privilege to us.
It was Maiguru Daisy and the Mtukudzi family that chose
Willowvale service centre as the venue of his Chapel service ahead of our
Hebert Chitepo avenue branch due to its location, a stone's throw away from
Highfield where he was born and bred.
Thirty-nine years after our independence, in his death,
Mukoma Tuku becomes the first National Hero to be laid to rest with full
services provided by Nyaradzo Funeral Services. Given the many years of our
friendship and brotherhood in which I was privileged to tap into his wisdom,
inspiration and rare talent I could not delegate the undertaking duties to our
staff. Sorry, guys if you felt short-changed or hard done. For me personally,
it was time to honour another of the unwritten contracts between brothers.
I must admit though that it was not easy, I felt like an
undertaker son presiding over the burial of his father. Tuku had a unique relationship with Nyaradzo, built on our
firm foundation of friendship, brotherly love and mutual respect dating back to
our days as boys’ dzeku Fiyo.
On many occasions, Tuku performed at Nyaradzo Group
corporate functions, with his last performance being in 2016 when we celebrated
our 15th anniversary at Mudziyashe Lodge in Glen Lorne.
At a deeper level, Tuku and I shared a very strong passion
for the environment. Wherever he found an open space, Tuku would plant trees.
For those who went to pay their last respects at his homestead in Norton, they
would have seen the many trees him and Maiguru Daisy have planted and preserved
over the years.
It was however at his Pakare Paya arts centre that our
passion in matters environment found expression as we took time out on his 60th
birthday to plant a good number of the trees that make the place look like a
semi-forest today.
Death has robbed us of Mukoma Oliver, who knew that you
would be gone so soon when we had started talking about producing and launching
a musical album to promote environmental awareness. Nonetheless, be comforted
Samanyanga knowing that the project will be realized and dedicated in your honour.
It’s a promise I will keep.
May your dear soul rest in eternal peace, People's Hero
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