Zimbabwean veteran musician Oliver Mtukudzi has passed on at the age of 66 at theAvenues Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Mtukudzi breathed his last on Wednesday after struggling with health complications for over a month, according to news website citizen.co.za.
No statement has so far been released by his family and the cause of his death is not yet established.
Apart from being Zimbwabwe’s greatest musical export, Mtukudzi was a businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for the Southern Africa Region.
The legendary artiste has visited and performed in Uganda on several occasions and had proclaimed his love for the people and country.
He last graced a Ugandan stage on Friday, June 30 2017 during the ‘Lock Down Concert’ at the Imperial Royale Hotel, where he performed some of his greatest hits including Neria and Todi.
He had 58 albums to his name.
About Mtukudzi;
Mtukudzi began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band that also featured Thomas Mapfumo. 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”.
With his husky voice, Mtukudzi became the most recognised voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene and he earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond. A member of Zimbabwe’s KoreKore group, with Nzou Samanyanga as his totem, he sang in the nation’s dominant Shona language along with Ndebele and English.
He also incorporated elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style, known to fans as Tuku Music. Mtukudzi 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.
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, died in a car accident in March 2010.
The veteran star was born in a family of six; one of his sisters and his only brother died.
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