The Sunday Mail
Cletus Mushanawani in Madziwa
THE elephant of Dande, the late Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi has continued to draw multitudes of people even in death as his last home coming parade drew people from the length and breadth of the usually serene Mashonaland Central Province.
Mtukudzi’s body was flown from Harare in a helicopter accompanied by his wife Daisy, his sister Ms Bybit Mtukudzi and an aunt Mrs Venna Muchakagara.
Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Resettlement Minister and Zanu-PF Politburo member, Retired Chief Air Marshal, Perrance Shiri, said Tuku was a man of his words.
“While some musicians were at the fore-front of denouncing the land reform programme, Mtukudzi came up with songs supporting the programme,” he said.
“He did not compose songs, but also led by example as he was one of the most successful A2 farmers in the province.
“We have lost a model farmer and a servant leader. I worked with him during my tenure as the Air Force Commander where he was our ambassador.
“He wanted results in everything and we worked to together in the construction of the Murongwe primary and secondary schools.
Information and Technology Minister and Zanu-PF’s Mashonaland Central provincial chairman, Cde Kazembe Kazembe, said the Mtukudzi’s family’s decision to have their son buried in Madziwa was the best thing for the province as the music icon’s legacy would continue in Mashonaland Central even after his death.
Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs, Cde Monica Mavhunga, said even in death Tuku had continued scoring a first.
“We feel so proud by being the first province to provide a national hero from the arts sector,” she said.
