The ManicaPost
Morris Mtisi Post Correspondent
Imagine you are a writer. You suddenly learn Oliver Mtukudzi has died. Then you struggle to find the first line to write. There are two things here. First, you are not a writer. Second, you did not know or understand the man. Nothing in between!
The mountain has fallen. The star will shine no more. He was the man that gave many a reason to smile even in the darkest hours of their lives . . . from the war of liberation . . . through political turmoil and economic woes . . . the pains of love, cheating and being cheated . . . illness whether short or long . . . through the stabs of loss caused by death . . . solitude caused by separation or desertion; Tuku was there through his music, adding meaning where it was meaningless or absent; where hope had become hopeless — where the strong winds of life threatened the life of the candle in the wind.
Tuku was there everywhere with his music to give sense where there was none, and give light where there was darkness, to give wisdom where there was foolishness and courage where there was fear, cowardice, spinelessness.
What will people remember you for when you are gone? Tuku lived his life to the fullest; fullest in the context of being an entertainer, an educator, a teacher preacher and social guiding star.
Let flashbacks of Tuku’s wonderful music fill every follicle of our Zimbabweanhood and run deep in our blood and brains. Every song of his spoke of either peace or love, oneness and good neighbourliness, respect for self and others, humility, veracity, honesty, Ubunthu/Hunhu under whatever situations one found himself or herself.
While many musicians sang violence, hate music, free sex, insolence and the glory of narcotic drugs, Tuku moulded human dignity and honour. His songs gave Zimbabweans very strong — almost immortal connections between the messages of the songs and experiences in our own lives. His songs searched for identity, loneliness, heartbreaks, helplessness, and dilemmas of life, characteristically preaching a musical gospel of sanity and moral rearmament.
Music is universal language. It is loved by people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. It is a great teacher in the hands and voice of a sane musician.
All serious musicians compose suitable songs leading us to successful and enjoyable learning experiences.
Tuku is no more. There was one Oliver Mtukudzi. And there will never be another!
For the first time the popular graveside adage, “A gap has been created which no one will be able to fill up,” makes honest and truthful sense.
Tuku, you asked, “What is a hero?”
Now we know, the answer is here,
Ask’d ‘D’you have to die to be a hero?’
Nay Tuku, Y’were a hero long before you died.
Heroes don’t die-they live on forever . . .
We’ll remember you forever, Super Star.
Indeed if I had my own way, Super Star, You’d share the National Heroes Acre, With other heroes of this beautiful country.
