Oliver Mtukudzi

On 23 January 2019, Mtukudzi died at the age of 66 at Avenues Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe after a long battle with diabetes.

With his husky voice, Mtukudzi has become the most recognised voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene and he has earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond. A member of Zimbabwe's KoreKore group, with Nzou Samanyanga as his totem, he sings in the nation's dominant Shona language along with Ndebele and English. He also incorporates elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style, known to fans as Tuku Music. Mtukudzi has had a number of tours around the world. He has been on several tours in the UK, US and Canada to perform for large audiences. In 2017 Mtukudzi entertained guests at the wedding of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo.

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.

2003 - Oliver Mtukudzi founded Pakare Paye as an Arts Centre providing a performance platform for developing and fostering young talent in many practical artistic endeavours particularly music, dance, drama, poetry and storytelling. Pakare Paye developed the following artists who are well established in their own rights; Munyaradzi Mataruse (seasoned), upcoming and artists of the moment who also performed on the funeral of Dr Oliver Mtukudzi; Innocent "Answer" Kufakunesu and Ashford "Mbeu" Nyahora. Ashford is well established and went on to perform with Tuku's family in Cape Town South Africa at the Jazz Festival where Tuku used to be a regular. The Centre benefited from support from different organisations that included the Culture Fund in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden, Nyaradzo Group and many international organisations. One of the famous products of Pakare Paye includes Mtukudzi's own son Sam, who unfortunately passed on in a car accident in 2010. Sam was a composed musician who could play any instrument and could sing vocals as well. All these prominent students of Tuku perform Afrofusion music that combines jazz and traditional African music and has Tuku touch infused in them. The Centre is also frequented by schools that attend workshops on arts where students get an opportunity to learn that there are various aspects of the music industry they can learn. Some of the schools that visits the Centre regularly include Marlborough High, Mabelreign Girls High, Harare Girls High, Chiedza Primary, Tafara High, Mabvuku High and St Eric’s High, among others. Through Pakare Paye, young Zimbabweans have an opportunity to learn benefits and pitfalls of the music industry as they have the opportunity to interact with veterans in the industry. The Centre provides venues that can be used by musicians and communities for different events.

He began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band that also featured Thomas Mapfumo and fellow legendary guitarist James Chimombe. They were given the rare opportunity by Paul Tangi Mhova Mkondo, an African nationalist and music promoter, who provided money and resources to the group. With the support of Mutanga, the prayers and blessings of Amai Mutanga, he allowed them to perform at Mutanga Restaurant & Night Club (Pungwe) which, at the time, was the first and only African licensed (obtained by Mkondo) night club 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 is also a contributor to Mahube, Southern Africa's "supergroup".

Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi (22 September 1952 – 23 January 2019) was a Zimbabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Southern Africa Region. Tuku was considered to have been Zimbabwe's most renowned and internationally recognised cultural icon of all time.