Well done Dr Oliver Mtukudzi

Fred Zindi Music Column
On September 22, 1998 (on Dr Oliver Mtukudzi’s birthday), Sir Cliff Richard gave a 40th anniversary concert to a packed audience at the Royal Albert Hall in London as a way of celebrating his 40 years in the music business. 27 years later, a similar event is being replicated in Zimbabwe. On Sunday, December 6, 2015, Dr. Oliver Mtukudzi began what continues to be an amazing journey of his music career since 1975. He did a noble thing by inviting all his friends, fans and family, the majority of whom were fellow musicians, to celebrate with him his forty years in the industry through a well-decorated and magnificent lunch.

The night before, he had marked his fortieth anniversary through a sold out concert at Pakare Paye which also featured special guests who included Ringo Madlingozi, JahPrayzah and Sulumani Chimbetu. Tuku took everyone down memory lane when he performed songs from yesteryear with the original Black Spirits.The concert and lunch reinforced Dr Mtukudzi’s status as a music icon .

All of us have a deep appreciation for the step-by-step efforts carried out each day by Dr Mtukudzi as his music continues to earn praise from the whole world. Dr Mtukudzi dreamt up this uncanny idea of bringing together all his friends and all those who have helped him in his 40 year music career. With the help of his two stewards, Sam Mataure and Watson Chidzomba, invitation cards were sent out to all who mattered.

I was one of those invited and around 2 o’clock on that Sunday, dreading that I was late and might not make it for lunch, I breathed a sigh of relief when I realised that the ceremony had not even started.

As if everybody was waiting for me, the ceremony started a few minutes after I arrived in the Sam Mtukudzi Conference Centre where around 200 people were already gathered. I was ushered to the table next to where Peter Mparutsa Friday and Clancy Mbirimi were seated, but behind Dr Oliver and Daisy Mtukudzi.

After a welcome speech from the Master of Ceremony, a Mr Victor Rukainga,the ceremony kicked off with a prayer from Pastor Charles Charambawho had graced the occasion with his wife, Olivia.

Then came Elvas Mari, the director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe who talked about keeping concerts safe in Zimbabwe.

“When a promoter says there will be tight security at his concert, then something is wrong. It makes people feel unsafe. Why is there need for tight security?” he asked. Next, came a sermon from a representative of Gramma Records and Zimbabwe Music Corporation, Mr Emmanuel Vhori, who told the audience about his good working relationship with Oliver during the time he was signed on to his company.

Picky (Eric) Kasamba who was a member of the original Black Spirits went on stage and jokingly told everyone that he was Oliver’s brother because they looked alike although he was more handsome. He reminisced about how he worked for many years with Oliver and that he enjoyed every moment of it. He said he would be pleased to work with Oliver again anytime if he is called upon to do so.

Then came Peter Mparutsa, who sounded nervous at first when he told us that he could sing but not speak. He gave us a glowing account about his interaction with Dr Mtukudzi over the years when he worked as a sound engineer. Mr Mparutsa ended his speech with a deep analysis of what a musician is all about which he said he had quoted from the internet.

It was time for the scrumptious lunch. There was a big spread of almost everything from chicken, beef, goat meat, pork, rice, potatoes, salads and deserts which ranged from fruit salad, ice cream, chocolate cake and cream to black forest cakes. To say that this food was delicious is an understatement. Indeed it was pleasing to the taste. Thanks to Daisy’s Kitchen at PakarePaye.

After lunch it was back to informational speeches. Although everyone who spoke had something important to say, I at times began to wonder when they were going to stop. The MC must have realised this too and he began to limit each speaker to two minutes.

Steve Dyer spoke about how he and Oliver met through Debbie Metcalfe at Frontline Studios and how they have since become close friends.

Debbie Metcalfe joked about being a ‘White Spirit’ among the ‘Black Spirits’ when she worked with Oliver as his manager. She started networking with South Africans and then the rest of the world to give Oliver a bigger name. Her network included the executives of Sheer Sound Records, Damon Forbes and Cowling who were also present at the ceremony and also gave speeches about their work with Oliver.

Donald Manyuchi, who was mentored by Dr Mtukudzi at PakarePaye Arts Centre described how he had grown from the day he first set his bare feet at the centre. He said he had everything to thank Dr Mtukudzi for.

Most moving was a speech by 21 year old Gary Tight who praised Dr Mtukudzi about his big heart which makes him open up his PakarePaye to people like him who live as far away as Mabvuku. He started off by singing a melodic but sad song which sent Daisy to tears.

Then Daisy went on stage to thank everyone for coming. “Yes you can call us vagrants (marombe), who are doing the work of vagrants, but we have reached 40 years doing it (tatosvitsa 40 years tichizviita)” to which she received a big round of applause.

Stewart Sukumain from Mozambique also went on stage and spoke glowingly about Oliver.

The last speakers were Bob Nyabinde and Ringo Madlingozi. Both were full of praises for Oliver and said that they wanted to strengthen their relationship with him. Messages were also read out from those who could not make it to the event, but wished Dr Mtukudzi well. These included Hugh Masekela and Johnathan Butler.

Tuku closed off the ceremony by giving a vote of thanks before we were ushered to his state of the art recording studio where BothwellNyamhondera( the guest of honour) and Keith Farquarson walked us through the nitty gritties of recording.

Indeed, Dr Mtukudzi has done well for himself and we have everything to thank him for in his contribution to the music industry.

Celebrating 40 years in the music business may seem trivial. It may not significantly add to Dr Mtukudzi’s bottom line or even be a key initiative in his strategic plan, but getting together with friends and business partners is a remarkable game changer which Dr Mtukudzi has achieved. We hope it inspires some youngsters who are still in their infancy of this game.. I watched Suluman paying attention to every detail of the proceedings and I am positive, he was inspired. To Samanyanga, I say, well done!

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