Chronicle Editor
Tonderai Zvimba, Showbiz Reporter
Zimbabwean women yesterday mourned the Jazz musician Oliver Mtukudzi with a powerful social media campaign #Dhuku4Tuku which trended at number one in South Africa and Zimbabwe on Twitter as they posted pictures on social media wearing head wraps (doeks).
The campaign was meant to mourn and celebrate the impact of Tuku’s music especially his music advocating for women and children’s rights.
A doek (iqhiye) is worn by women at church, weddings, funerals and other such social gatherings.
Activist/feminist Tsimba Kadzi said: “Oliver Mtukudzi’s support for women’s struggle is well documented, from his role and song in the film Neria which is about inheritance rights for widows and also condemning child marriages. Today women honour Tuku by wearing black and a head wrap.”
Tuku celebrated women through his songs such as Neria which advocated for the property rights of women.
In Tozeza Baba the singer condemned the domestic abuse of women and now women are honouring him for what he did through his music.
Oliver Mtukudzi was a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador for Southern Africa, human rights activist and a philanthropist.
Last year he took part in the Swedish Zimbabwe embassy campaign condemning child marriages.
Tuku was proud of his African roots as evidenced by his dressing and the sound of his music.
Individuals and organisations took part in the #Dhuku4Tuku including the likes of comedian Madam Boss, musician Sandra Ndebele, radio personality Misred, Star Fm’s KVG, Miss V Candy and Mai Judah, Telecel’s staff, Higherlife Foundation staff, Chicken Inn staff, Dicomm McCann advertising agency staff and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s staff.
The late Mtukudzi was a uniting force as the message in his music united tribes, impacted many lives and tackled various social concerns.
derick.khumalo