Online Reporter
Trust Khosa Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
FOR decades, Zimbabwe’s arts industry has largely looked to sons to carry forward the legacies of legendary musicians, often overlooking daughters as worthy heirs to their parents’ musical heritage.
From the late John Chibadura and Tongai Moyo to Leonard Dembo, Muchapedza “Tedious” Matsito, Biggie Tembo, Simon and Naison Chimbetu, it has mostly been their sons who have been thrust into the spotlight as custodians of their fathers’ legacies.
This long-standing trend has left many questioning why daughters, who also possess the talent and passion to continue their parents’ work have largely, remained on the fringes.
Determined to challenge that perception, Selmor Mtukudzi, the daughter of music legend and national hero Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, has launched a new initiative dubbed “Daughters of Music Legends”, a movement aimed at celebrating and preserving the legacies of Zimbabwe’s iconic musicians through their daughters.
The concept was first presented in 2013 by Selmor at 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 line-up comprising herself, Tendai Chimombe, Atenda Chinx, Ammara Brown, 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.
The movement will officially be launched today at the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare.
Explaining how she came up with the concept, Selmor said: “This concept came about in 2013, when we presented it to Hifa, and they loved it. I shared the stage with Lucky Dube’s daughter, Nkulee, and we filled up the main stage. I’ve wanted to repeat it since then, but funds were not permitting.
“I’m very happy that Nyaradzo saw the vision and believed in it and they agreed to come on board.”
She said she is looking forward to the movement being a success after being joined by the talented quartet to make them five.
“We’ve had different experiences. I believe fans have been very supportive of us. When we announced the upcoming show, my Facebook page blew up with people’s excitement. It was a show they had been waiting for, and I’m so glad that we’re finally coming together to make it happen.
“The promoters have given us some opportunities here and there, but we hope they can invite us even more going forward,” she said.
Selmor said she hopes to expand the initiative beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, bringing together daughters of legendary musicians from across the region and eventually the world.
“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,” she said.
Although Selmor is launching the initiative with daughters of departed music legends, she stressed that it is not exclusive to them.
“We are open to taking in daughters of both living and past legends,” she said.
With attention mainly on sons of music legends, Selmor has vowed to change the narrative.
“We don’t need to be matching anyone. I think every artiste should run their own race and achieve their own goals. I would request that as artistes, we continue to work together and collaborate where necessary, whether male or female.”
She, however, conceded that the daughters of legends have faced many challenges.
“The major challenge we face is that of lack of funding to be able to put up these kinds of shows, but thankfully Nyaradzo, through their Sahwigate, has come through for us. They have played a critical role in having this movement happen, and we are very grateful to them.”
She added: “If there’s ever going to be one show that someone has to attend this year, it’s this one. Fans will not only get to watch their favourite artistes performing, but they will also hear even their favourite hits from yesteryear. It’s going to be a show where we take you down memory lane and travel with you to today. People shouldn’t miss it for anything.”
Selmor shared plans to take the concept to other cities in the country and then go regional and even international. “We plan to create a tour so that everybody can experience this amazing show.”
