I love you Tuku, but shame on youaï¿½ï¿½

Nkululeko Nkala

I know I could be crucified for this piece, especially by the legion of Tuku fans.

I am one of those fans. We love the Doctor/Genius/Mdara. His music has changed lives and given hope to many.

We have danced all night and smiled/cried to his husky voice. His intelligence and music prowess measures to none in the country. I have seen him perform a solo piece and sound like a 5 piece band. He is Tuku our living legend.

So here goes. Dear Tuku. First and foremost let me remind you of the saying. a�?The barking of dogs will not stop elephants from grazinga�? you are an Elephant boss, I am just a puppy. 99% chance is you wona��t even read this.

Add to that, there are probably nine or more publications to this one that are singing praises and disagreeing with me. If I add that I am no big name, it will just make this effort worthless.

Anyway, you may still be in South Africa flying the countrya��s flag and basking in the light of collaborating with international award winning act Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Let me congratulate you on that, even Ladysmith have said ita��s an honour.

But Tuku bro,A� do you know of a town called Bulawayo or a region called Matabeleland? I am sure you do, we have attended your shows in our numbers. We have groups that idolise you, sing and dance to your music day and night. I truly appreciate that you are crossing borders and making news. You started Pakare Paye, the country said wow. You have toured the world and left them in awe. A few years back you collaborated with XQ, I thought now he is investing in others, then came the support for Sulu and Jah Prayzer making them stars because of your endorsement. I had hope that Jeys Marabini would be next.

You are like Joshua Nkomo Dr/Sir Tuku, you could have made the world pay attention to my region.

Jeys could be sitting pretty on your right hand and uplifting others.

Why has this pimple burst sir? Did you know this region boasts of some of the best imbube ensembles in the world?

Some are even better than Ladysmith. Do not dismiss this sir, I have watched Ladysmith before and I know our guys.

Now here is my question. Why did you not collaborate with either Black Umfolosi, Impumelelo Shining Stars or even Umdumo Wesizwe? Why sir? Do you know the kind of impact that could have had to the local industry? How then are Sulu, Peter Moyo and Winky D going to learn that they have brothers on this end?

It is for this reason that we do not have stars from this region. We will always be your supporting acts. Do you know that music is a unifier? Our country needs real heroes at this point. Silently we still have tribalists and classifications.

There will always be these ones and those ones. I believe that up until people like you leave their mansions and pull up other brothers in the country there is no permanent legacy to be left. I love you sir. I believe there is still hope for you to work with a local act. Until next week, be safe . . .