Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi was a Zimbabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Southern Africa Region.
The celebrated singer, songwriter, and guitarist immensely impacted the world with a legacy of great music spanning four decades and 67 music albums.
Regarded as a cultural icon, who used his work to promote African arts and culture in Africa and the Diaspora, Dr. Mtukudzi’s Afro-jazz compositions touched on socio-cultural issues.
Career
Mtukudzi was born on 22 September 1952 and grew up in Highfield, a poor neighborhood in Salisbury (modern-day Harare) in Southern Rhodesia.
He began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band that also featured Thomas Mapfumo and fellow guitarist James Chimombe.
They were given the rare opportunity by Paul Tangi Mhova Mkondo, an African nationalist and music promotor, who provided money and resources to the group.
He allowed them to perform at Club Mutanga (Pungwe) which, at the time, was the only nightclub available for blacks under Rhodesia’s policy of segregation.
Their single Dzandimomotera went gold and Tuku’s first album followed, which was also a major success.
Mtukudzi was also a contributor to Mahube, Southern Africa’s “supergroup”.
With his husky voice, Mtukudzi became the most recognised voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene and he earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond.
As a member of Zimbabwe’s KoreKore group, with Nzou Samanyanga as his totem, he sang in the nation’s dominant Shona language along with Ndebele and English.
He also incorporated elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style, known to fans as Tuku Music.
Mtukudzi had a number of tours around the world. He was on several tours in the UK, US, and Canada to perform for large audiences.
He had an honorary degree from the University of Zimbabwe in December 2003 and M-Net Best Soundtrack Award in 1992, for Neria
In 2017 Mtukudzi entertained guests at the wedding of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
That same year, late Mtukudzi was the recipient of the AFRIMA Legend Award, a category of the All Africa Music Awards that recognises the influence and excellence of the continent’s music legends who contribute to the growth of African music and culture.
Tuku was present on the live stage of the 2017 AFRIMA Main Awards held on Sunday, November 10, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Besides receiving his 23.7-carat gold-plated trophy for his recognition as an African music legend, Dr. Mtukudzi also performed his hit 1995 single, Hear Me Lord on the live stage of AFRIMA 2017.
Social commentary
Prior to the independence of Zimbabwe, Mtukudzi’s music depicted the struggles under Rhodesian white minority rule.
In subsequent years following Zimbabwean independence, his music has advocated for tolerance and peace and has frequently portrayed the struggles of women and children.
Personal life and death
Mtukudzi is the father of five children and has two grandchildren. Two of his children are also musicians.
His son Sam Mtukudzi, a successful musician in his own right, died in a car accident in March 2010, and in 2013, he released an album titled “Sarawoga”, in tribute to his son.
On 23 January 2019, Mtukudzi died at the age of 66 at Avenues Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe after a long battle with diabetes mellitus.
