Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
SELMOR MTUKUDZI firmly believes there is need for greater unity among daughters of living and departed arts legends, as they face similar challenges.
While attention has largely focused on the sons of living and late arts icons as the natural heirs to their fathers’ legacies, Selmor — daughter to the late national hero and music icon Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi — believes it is never too late to change that narrative.
She has taken a bold step towards reshaping that perception through the Daughters of Legends movement, an initiative that has steadily gained momentum. The movement will be officially launched tomorrow at 7 Arts Theatre in Harare, where Selmor will share life experiences and insights alongside Tendai Chimombe, Ammara Brown, Atenda Chinx, and Saiwe Chimbetu. Together, the five artistes will pay tribute to their legendary fathers — James Chimombe, Dick Chingaira (Cde Chinx), Oliver Mtukudzi, Andy Brown, and Simon Chimbetu — in a concert celebrating both their enduring musical legacies and the daughters proudly carrying the torch into a new era.
For a start, Selmor has begun with the daughters of music legends, which has commanded a huge following. As such, she has called for unity and fruitful synergies among the daughters of legends.
“It is very important that we stick together and work as a team,” she said.
“Our struggles are similar to a certain degree, and so we understand each other. Having each other’s backs can only make us stronger and help build each other up.” Being a torch-bearer among the daughters of music legends, Selmor has vowed to use her experience and exchange notes with others.
“I see these ladies as my younger sisters, and I have great respect for them. They are incredibly talented, and there is so much I can learn from them too. So we are just sharing ourselves, and that is how we all benefit from the relationship that we have.” Outlining her vision, Selmor said she was determined to uplift fellow daughters of legends beyond our borders.
“My vision is to take this regionally and also include other daughters of legends internationally. I see this carrying on for generations to come, where people continue to celebrate girls for taking over after their fathers.”
Although Selmor will be officially opening her move with the daughters of living music legends, she maintained that they were not selective. “We are open to taking in daughters of both living and past legends,” she said.
With daughters of fellow arts legends in other genres also itching for inclusion, Selmor set the record straight.
“We are only starting with music, but with time, we would love to include daughters of legends in theatre and other art forms too.”
Her concept was first conceived in 2013, when Selmor presented it to the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA).
That year, she shared the festival’s main stage with South African reggae legend Lucky Dube’s daughter, Nkulee, in what became the project’s debut. Thirteen years later, Selmor has revived the concept, bringing together a formidable lineup comprising herself, Tendai Chimombe, Atenda Chinx, Ammara Brown, and Saiwe Chimbetu.
