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Fred Zindi CMusic Column
It is now official. Music superstar, Oliver Mtukudzi, has finally made it. He is now Dr Oliver Mtukudzi and that is the title everyone should know him by from now on .
Dr Tuku deserves that long-awaited honour. Congratulations are in order Dr Tuku.
We knew it was coming one day. After all “Hupenyu Mutserendende”, always remember that the future comes one day at a time and you have demonstrated to us all what patience and perseverance bring to the world.
Few people who reach the summit of their lives can be acquitted of vanity or conceit.
In your case, you have always been a humble and patient person. Well done!
I am sure Dr Mtukudzi’s family, well wishers and fans quietly thank Professor Rungano Zvobgo and the Great Zimbabwe University Council and staff for taking the bold stance in making this decision to confer Tuku with an honorary Ph.D degree in Ethnomusicology and Choreography.
Great Zimbabwe University is appropriately placed to confer this kind of honour.
Oliver Mtukudzi was capped by the Great Zimbabwe University Chancellor, President Robert Mugabe during the graduation ceremony in Masvingo on Friday October 31, 2014.
The honour was for being an inspiration to young artistes by using his music as commentary on various social, cultural, and economic issues in his music career which spans for nearly four decades.
He has no doubt done an exceptionally distinguished service to society through his contribution to Zimbabwean music and creative writing.
The award also recognised his service to the community ´through benefit concerts and fund-raising and his collaborations with indigenous musicians and filmmakers.
More than three decades of patient research and performances across a huge range of music styles have ensured that this important part of Zimbabwean history and culture has been taken to the world in spellbinding appearances and recordings.
The latest accolade, which is being awarded an honorary doctorate from Great Zimbabwe University, follows the conferment of an honorary MSc (Fine Arts) Degree by the Women’s University in Africa in 2009.
The Women’s University in Africa knew that no-one in the arts deserved this accolade more than Oliver.
On October 30th, 2009, they went ahead and awarded him with the degree at their graduation ceremony held in Chisipite Gardens..
Oliver Mtukudzi also received the University of Zimbabwe and The International Council of Africana Womanism (ICAW) Award for recognition of his luminary role in uplifting African women through his artistic work – music and a diversity of art forms where he was recognized for community service at Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton.
Besides being named Zimbabwe’s first Unicef Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa, Tuku has also been honoured by the government of Italy with the prestigious Cavaliere of the Order of Merit Award in recognition of his work as an international musician.
The award is like the MBE Knighthood given to distinguished personalities by Queen Elizabeth in England which comes with titles to achieving personalities.
Examples of such recipients in England include Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Elton John, Sir Rod Stewart, Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Richard Branson.
It was not until the late 1990’s that Tuku’s music really took off to a higher level.
By 1999 Tuku had churned out 49 albums.
Today he has got 61 albums under his belt.
In 2001 after he released the album “Bvuma/Tolerance”, the whole country as well as the international world began to pay serious attention to Oliver Mtukudzi.
Zimbabweans in the diaspora, especially those in South Africa and England began to invite Oliver to perform for them in these countries.
Between 1999 and 2004, Tuku also performed or recorded with several other international artists such as Ringo Madlingozi, Carlos Santana, Taj Mahal, Baaba Maal, Toumani Diabete, Judith Sephuma, Louis Mhlanga, Lucky Dube and several others.
During his spare time, Tuku would dedicate his services to the community by taking part in AIDS awareness programmes as well as giving charity performances.
Among his several achievements, Tuku began to construct Pakare Paye Arts Centre in 2004 near his home in Knowe, Norton, some 40 kilometres outside Harare.
It is at this centre that Tuku began to give Zimbabwean youngsters opportunities to develop their own skills in music and drama, free of charge. This was seen by many as the beginning of Tuku’s philanthropic moves. He involved himself with anti-AIDS campaigns and more recently with the plight of the people who experienced the Tokwe- Mukosi flood disaster. UNICEF saw it fit to make him the regional goodwill ambassador.
Tuku spoke out against stigma, discrimination and abuse of children through his music.
His music has gone beyond the Zimbabwean borders and inspired leaders from Government and Civil Society as well as parents to take more positive steps in promoting children’s rights. In 2012, while on a tour of the USA, he was inducted in the Hall of Fame in New York.
As part of his humanitarian work, Oliver Mtukudzi did the honourable thing by leading a team of 30 local artistes to visit and see for themselves the plight of the Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims who have, since February this year, been accommodated at Chingwizi holding camp in Mwenezi. That is inspirational.
n short, everyone recognises the contribution Oliver has made to the cultural industry of Zimbabwe. His contributions are immense and everyone I have spoken to agrees with me that it is time he was awarded an honorary doctorate by a reputable university in this country a degree without controversy that will be recognised nationally and internationally. After all, charity begins at home.
For this reason, we have Great Zimbabwe University to thank for this great honour to Dr. Mtukudzi.
Great Zimbabwe University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Rungano Zvobgo, who spoke before Oliver Mtukudzi was conferred with the honorary degree, commended Tuku for contributing to the preserving of social and cultural heritage of Zimbabwe through music.
Here are his words:
“Here is a man, an icon of music in the country who has contributed immensely in the growth of the music industry in the country as well as inspiring young and upcoming musicians, We have decided to honour him because of the great work he has done in the country.“
In his acceptance speech, Tuku thanked GZU administration for recognising his work.
As before, it was received with the great humility that is a hallmark of Tuku’s character. This is what he said:
“I am very humbled and would like to express my appreciation and gratefulness to this university, I never at one time thought that this would happen to me but today I have learnt that there are people out there who have been observing my work and appreciated it, hence they have shown it this way.”
Tuku, who was accompanied by his wife Daisy, took the opportunity to belt out one of his songs “Ndegani” thanking the university authorities for honouring him.
To put icing on the cake why don’t we ask the hundreds of artistes that have been inspired by Dr Mtukukudzi to compose a song in praise of his achievements.
This will put his achievements to even greater heights.
Tocky Vybes, my favourite Zimdancehall artiste of the moment, here is a challenge for you.
You can do collaborations with any of the artistes from your stable.
Here is a long list to choose from: Shinsoman, Seh Calaz, Jiggaz, Quornfused, Terminator, Platinum Prince, Ricky Fire, Ras Pompy, Killer T, Jah Love, Jah Child, Cello Culture, Dhadza D, Sniper Storm, Winky D, Lipsy, Tipsy, Kinnah, Lady Squanda and others you can think of. Please ask Chirikure Chirikure to assist with powerful and clean lyrics.
Jah Prayzah, you are always one up ahead of me.
I hope you are already in the Studio with Sulumani Chimbetu, Alick Macheso, Pastor Charles Charamba, and anybody else you can think of, recording a congratulatory song for Doctor Mtukudzi.
That way, I know for sure that Dr Mtukudzi will feel inspired but will also be proud to know that as a result of his perspiration, he has inspired a nation.
Christmas is around the corner. We are looking forward to this effort before Christmas. It will be a pleasant Christmas gift.
I will be the first one to buy it.
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