SELMOR Mtukudzi’s relationship with her late father, music
superstar Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, was and still remains one of the most
speculated subjects in local showbiz.
Did Dr Tuku give a raw deal to his daughter? Did the legend
die harbouring some form of resentment over Selmor or vice versa? Did they find
each other along the way? Was a third force, Dr Tuku’s wife Daisy in this case,
responsible for driving a wedge between father and daughter?
These and many other questions have kept the Tuku family
debate alive before and after the legend’s death. One thing for certain though,
is that at some point the two had an acrimonious relationship, characterised by
accusations of neglect by the daughter and counter accusations of disrespect by
the father.
At the height of their disagreements in 2012, Selmor
attacked Dr Tuku for not attending her album launch or even congratulating her
when she won a music award. The predicament, she believed, was caused by her
stepmother, Dr Tuku’s second wife, Daisy. Before the nasty outburst, Selmor and
Dr Tuku had remained diplomatic about their frosty relationship in public.
The songstress would nonetheless privately confide in her
fans and friends, heaping scorn on the late legend. And one of the chats was
leaked to the media. It was to mark a turning point in the frigid
father-daughter relationship.
Fissures between the two began to close. Dr Tuku gradually
began to play a meaningful role in Selmor’s professional and private life. The
songbird herself noticed progress and effort from her father’s end.
As a result, five years later, she issued a public apology
to both her father and stepmother, Daisy, for embarrassing them in public
through her actions. In the last two years, the once sour father-daughter
relationship vastly improved.
According to the singer, they started meeting more often in
town, chatted on the phone and shared professional ideas unlike in the past.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail Society last week, Selmor said time mended their
once less than rosy past.
“Professionally I learnt a lot from my father and I will
forever cherish the advice he gave me. Reading all the WhatsApp messages we
sent to each other over the years has been giving me some form of relief. It is
as if he is still talking to me even after death. I loved my father dearly,”
she said.
Selmor now plans to honour the late legend at a gig to be
held at Andy Miller Hall on March 29 dubbed “Tuku Music Lives On”. The show is
set to be the biggest event in the country celebrating the “life and times” of
the late legend. A similar tribute gig was held in South Africa at Joburg
Theatre early last month.
Selmor, her sister Sandra and rising star Ashton ‘Mbeu’
Nyahora gave a good account of themselves through extra refined acts.
The Andy Miller show will certainly be an emotional one not
just for Selmor but for Dr Tuku’s fans as well. The legend and his backing
group the Black Spirits popularised the venue at the turn of the millennium.
Who can forget the sight of a packed venue, hundreds of cars stretching from Andy
Miller Hall in the Exhibition Park all the way to Samora Machel Avenue while
singalongs like “Tozeza Baba” were belted?
Besides, it will be Selmor’s first chance to thank
multitudes of Dr Tuku’s local fans through song and dance following the
legend’s burial at his rural home in Madziva on January 27.
Organisers said the gig will feature original Black Spirits
members among them Picky Kasamba, drummer Sam Mataure and Never Mpofu.
“I am greatly humbled by the support I have been receiving
from my father’s fans. It has really showed me how much they loved him. I’m
praying that God gives me the strength to quench their thirst in my own little
capacity. I could never fill my father’s shoes, no-one can, but I am going to
keep his performing spirit alive for as long as God allows me,” declared
Selmor.
“I am so excited about the tribute gig scheduled for March
29. It will be an opportunity for me to honour my father in the best possible
way I can and know. At the same time it will also be a great opportunity for me
to share the stage with household names at such a big event.”
The question of who should carry on with the legend’s
musical legacy has occupied public discourse since Dr Tuku’s death. Names of
possible candidates that have been thrown around include that of his widow
Daisy, daughter Samantha, and Selmor.
“We had no idea how big our father’s influence was. To us
he was just a dad and nothing much. It was only at the funeral that I got to
realise how popular he was and I wonder if he also knew he was such a great
man.
“I thank his fans for their loyal support and promise them
that as long as the Almighty allows me, I will not let their favourite brand of
music die, neither will I starve them of pulsating live gigs,” pledged Selmor.
With over a decade in the music industry, Selmor boasts of
five albums among them “I Am Woman”, “Expressions” and “Shungu”. The most
popular hit-track she has produced thus far is “Nguva Yangu” off the album
“Expressions” though others argue “Hangasa”, particularly the video, is the
best.
Selmor has several accolades under her belt including a
Nama award for Outstanding Female Musician 2015. Sunday Mail
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