Popular Zimbabwean Afro-jazz musician Oliver Mtukudzi has died at Avenue Clinic, Harare after a battle with diabetes.
Mtukudzi of the hit songs; “Todii” and other songs like “Ndakuvara” and “Hear Me Lord” had been struggling with ill health for some time now. The 66-year-old is renowned musicians
In Zimbabwe he was a musician, philanthropist, human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Southern Africa Region. He is Zimbabwe’s most renowned and internationally recognised cultural icon of all time.
His husky voice was unmistakable whenever his song, new and old hit the airwaves. His music journey begun in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels.
Their single “Dzandimomotera” went gold and Tuku’s first album followed, which was also a major success. Mtukudzi is also a contributor to Mahube, Southern Africa’s “supergroup”. Today he has close to 60 albums, the latest being Eheka Nhai Yahwe done in 2016.
He was a contributing artist in The Rough Guide to the Music of Zimbabwe, 1996 then Unwired: Acoustic Music from Around the World 1999 and Unwired: Africa in 2000.
His performances in Kenya have been thrilling and memorable. Latest ones being show at Acacia Premier Hotel in Kisumu on September 2016 and Koroga Festival at Arboretum Grounds, Nairobi on June 2015.
He described his presence in Kenya thus; “Every time I come here I am amazed by the love the Kenyan people show me,”.
