Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the Spouth)-Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo has dismissed talk of the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) granting iconic musician Oliver ‘Tuku’Mtukudzi an Honorary Degree accusing him of lacking in terms of producing.
Responding on social media to calls by Norton Member of Parliament Themba Mliswa that Tuku be honored whilst alive Moyo, who has previously ridiculed the easy acquisition of educational accolades and is set to criminalise acquisition and granting of bogus degrees, dismissed the idea.
Themba Mliswa led a parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Arts to Tuku’s Pakare Paye Arts Center where he urged that it be recognised as a tourist attraction site.
“I believe legends should be honored while alive and Tuku’s artistic efforts deserve more recognition.”
“Pakare Paye shld be declared a tourist attraction”, Mliswa said.
Another concurred with Mliswa and called for a national recognition for the musician who has more than 60 albums to his name.
“Awesome ! He is deserving, its been long overdue – in my opinion. Thank you Honourable”
“Has he been granted an honorary Doctorate at UZ as yet ? He is far more deserving-we should celebrate our own”, he asked.
However Prof Moyo was scornful of the idea terming the legendary musician limited in terms of producing.
“You reckon that an Honorary Degree is the highest honour in music performance equivalent to say a Music Hall or Walk of Fame or a Grammy?’
“I don’t think so. Among other considerations, an Honorary Degree would have to test Tuku’s influence as a music producer, which is thin!”, said Prof Moyo.
Tuku’s music has spanned decades and he has perfomed all over the world at various stages and events.
He has already been honoured with a doctorate degree in ethnomusicology and choreography by the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) in Masvingo.
Mtukudzi has previously been honoured in the US by the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in recognition for his “inspiration and enduring commitment to ending Aids”, Through the CROI2017 special award.
Tuku began performing in 1977 when he joined the Wagon Wheels, a band that also featured Chimurenga music icon, Thomas Mapfumo.
Music analysts say that Tuku’s music in Zimbabwe knows no competition with his only serious competitor being Mapfumo who now resides in the United States.
Tuku has gone for several tours in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada among other countries performing for large audiences.
Tuku has also been honoured with the History Tour Award under the Event of the year category at the fourth edition of the annual Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) held in London.
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