Tuku’s party of a lifetime

an all-white attire, turns on the style and rev up the bumper crowd expected to throng the Glamis Arena for the bash.
This, of course, means that Mtukudzi will be on stage longer than the normal one and half hours as per international standards. Over and above this, there will be collaborations, special appearances and performances by several artistes. There has been so much hype surrounding the birthday bash where the legendary Mtukudzi has lined up a top-drawer show featuring some of his close friends in the mould of Steve Dyer, Ringo Madlingozi, Dorothy Masuku and Judith Sephuma — all from South Africa.
If you are a fan of Ringo then “Into Yami” is for you, if you love Aunt Dot then “Pata Pata” or “Gona Ramachingura” is for you and if you fell in love with Neria then Steve Dyer will spice it up for you. There is just so much in the offing.
But there is also a galaxy of Zimbabwean stars among them Alick Macheso, Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave, ExQ, Jah Prayzah, Willom Tight and Diana Samkange. So big is the line-up that it has generated a lot of excitement among Mtukudzi’s fans, what with Dr Zobha’s television commercials.
Well for those not in the know — Dr Zobha — the Power FM’s prankmaster, appears in an advert alongside Mtukudzi in which he tells Tuku to accept that he is now old, borrowing heavily from the superstar’s 2001 hit “Bvuma” often mistakenly referred to as “Bvuma Wasakara”.  
Chairman of the organising committee Taka Mashonganyika confirmed that Mtukudzi, or simply Tuku to his multitudes of fans, will perform for not less than three hours.
“It is his birthday and he is excited about it. He gave us an assurance that he will be on stage for at least three hours non-stop. Normally during his international tours he only performs for one and half hours but this time he is willing to go the extra mile for his fans,” he said.
The pencil-slim Tuku has become one of the legends of Zimbabwean music with a career that spans over four decades with 60 albums to his credit.
The cheapest ticket will be selling for US$10 while the VVIPs will cost US$60 including a meal.
At midnight, Tuku will turn 60 years amid a flurry of fireworks display courtesy of electronic goods retailer Goldtech Electronics.