FULL TEXT: Oliver Mtukudzi Formally Declared National Hero President Mnangagwa [Updated]

5 years agoThu, 24 Jan 2019 12:23:48 GMT

FULL TEXT: Oliver Mtukudzi Formally Declared National Hero President Mnangagwa [Updated]

MINISTRY OF YOUTH, SPORT, ARTS AND RECREATION
24 JANUARY 2019
PRESS RELEASE BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF YOUTH, SPORT, ARTS AND RECREATION ON THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF DR. OLIVER DAIRAI MTUKUDZI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Ministry of Youth. Sport, Arts and Recreation received with shock and sadness the passing on of a Zimbabwean music icon, a cultural ambassador par excellence, a mentor, a unifier, a social commentator and indeed an exemplary family man, Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi. It is beyond doubt that the void he has left in the cultural and creative industries arena nationally and internationally will be difficult to fill.
The Ministry and its stakeholders in the cultural and creative industries have set in motion the process for the conferment of National Hero status on Dr Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. The request is premised on the tremendous work that Dr Mtukudzi accomplished over a long period of time in the arts sector, particularly music. Far and wide, his ‘Katakwe’ music positively impacted on the entire world.
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In recognition of his heroic works in the development of Zimbabwean music in general, the Ministry put up an organising committee comprising of Ministry Officials, members of the Mtukudzi family, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe. National Gallery of Zimbabwe, arts industry practitioners, music promoters and artists is being set up to spearhead all logistical arrangements for a Tuku Memorial Concert.

Ministry is organising a memorial music concert to celebrate the life of a legend and his achievements in music as well as bidding him an appropriate send off. In that vein, corporates who benefitted immensely from Dr Mtukudzi’s works through advertisements, promotion and marketing activities, among other commissioned works, are encouraged to come on board in making arrangements for the concert and his burial.
As of tomorrow Friday, the 26th of January, 2019, an appeal is being made to the womenfolk, who constitute a sizeable percentage of Tuku’s fan base to put on black attire including headdress in what is being dubbed “TUKU DHUKU”. Males are being encouraged to put on African shirts and head-dress, and should they choose formal attire it should be without a necktie.
Transport to ferry artists to Tuku’s homestead has been organised.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation has been humbled by the numerous efforts being carried out by various groups and individuals in celebrating the life and accomplishments of this larger than life and humble legend, Dr Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi.
May His Dear Soul Rest In Eternal Peace.