adminMorris Mtisi
IT was Great Zimbabwe University Vice-Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo who finally recognised the hero in Oliver Mtukudzi. In 1976 Tuku put together a Wagon Wheels outfit and emerged from ‘‘nowhere’’ with Nhamo Dzandimomotera. Zimbabweans knew at once a musical superstar had been born. From there, the Highfield ‘‘ghetto boy’’ made it a habit to churn out hit after hit. Since Safirio Madzikatire of the Ndatemwa Negogo-Isaac (Hauchandida here?) fame with evergreen Susan Chenjerayi in the mid-50s, no one had ever seriously cut a transformative niche in Afro-popular music. Now the torch-bearer was born.
Mtukudzi had come to champion the Zimbabwean musical revolution. He had come to be the voice of the voiceless and lest we forget, indeed played his part in supporting the armed struggle. Those who are conversant with the reality of armed struggle will tell you music was part of guerilla warfare, naturally supplying the psychological impetus, urge and courage to fight on. Music was the language of war enhancing sacrifice and selfless dedication.
In his in-born creative genius, the Shungu Dzaamai lyrist exhibited both open and subtle poetic mellifluence that the Zimbabwean audience had never heard. Chido Chenyu Here? (You may remember: Vanoraramusango vachichemakwazvo; chidochenyu here ichi? pindurai mambo) and Zimbabwe (Mhandu yakanga yatambarara ikaisamusoro nekokoko, ndokukanganwa kwayakabva munyika yedu yeZimbabwe.”
Then came Hwema Handirase, Mwana Wamambo, Murimi Munhu, Hear Me Lord, UN-50, down to Dande and Mutserendende. The rest is musical history. A total of 63 serious albums full of musical wisdom, guidance and counselling! Well done, Tuku! For a period close to four decades, you were the power that drove Zimbabwean music.
The doctorate you received after this long journey of being a musical socio-political and cultural commentator is well deserved. Even when you asked: “Can anybody answer my question? What is a hero? Do you have to die to be a hero?” in your angry, but mellifluent lyrical questionnaire ‘‘Handinzwi’’, no one answered. People loved you and used your music at funerals, birthday parties and celebrations. Yet no one suggested your heroism be recognised in your lifetime. They called you superstar and gave you honorary names celebrating your undisputed iconic stature, yet no one spoke about you deserving an honorary degree.
Until the good Professor and Vice-Chancellor of Great Zimbabwe University chose to bell the cat!
Tuku most ably worked hard over many years. His 63 albums represent 63 dissertations written and published within almost 40 years of a distinguished musical journey of research.
With his sense of ubunthu and maturity he advised, comforted and healed the socially sick and tormented. Teacher, preacher and outstanding musical motivation speaker, he saved many marriages and counselled countless estranged partners. There is no one he did not speak to: political bullies and clowns, social misfits and marital hoodlums… the young and old, man and woman…everybody, the good, the bad and the ugly. He was and still is, the best rabbi of the grand syllabus of life.
Tuku’s own words and music were and still are the bricks and mortar of his dreams and experiences. His music was (is) the greatest power he had (has).
The words he chose and their emotional effect established the life he experienced.
Online Reporter