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Superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi and South African Joseph Shabalala, founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, first met as young men in 1978 and have admired each other’s music since then.
Last week they were in the studio in Durban, South Africa, making magic as they collaborated to record a rendition of Tuku’s internationally famous Neria.
“We have performed together at many events and festivals,” said Tuku to Shabalala during a break in their recording, “but that wasn’t it. I wanted to do something with you and finally it has happened.”
Shabalala, who has not been performing of late made a special effort to be part of the Neria recording.
“I love this type of music,” he said, pausing to sing a few lines of Neria, before continuing, “Whoa, it’s touching man.”
Tuku explained the significance of the song saying women were still struggling with trying to possess property when their husbands die.
“When I first wrote the song Neria in 1990, the issue of women having to struggle with relatives trying to possess their property after the death of a husband was pertinent in Zimbabwe.
“Today, over 20 years later, women still struggle with the same issue. People must definitely write wills, but out of respect, relatives must support widows, rather than fight for their possessions.
“What we’ve found is that even in South Africa and elsewhere around Africa, women have similar problems so the song resonated with Ladysmith Black Mambazo as well.”
Tuku’s studio date with the four-time Grammy winners is part of his next big Tuku and friends project titled Abi’angu II.
Their collaboration follows Tuku’s first duets album, Abi’angu, released in 2011. Abi’angu II will also feature Hugh Masekela, Salif Keita, Kunle Ayo, Alick Macheso, Ammara Brown and Gary Tight.
The word abi’angu is from Tuku’s Kore Kore dialect of the Shona language and means “my friends”. Both Shabalala and Tuku share values of peace and unity. Two weeks ago, Tuku was in the studio in Johannesburg recording with Ayo.
Meanwhile, Ladysmith Black Mambazo are expected to travel to Harare for the first live performance of their version of Neria with Tuku. – Zimbojam/Harare Bureau.
Online Reporter