The President of Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) Dr Takavafira Zhou, the PTUZ Management Committee, National Executive Committee, staff and the entire PTUZ family learnt with shock about the untimely passing on of Dr Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi who has gone to be with the Lord after a long battle with diabetes. As the PTUZ family, we join the nation, region and the world at large in mourning the departure of of the iconic and legendary musician whose inspirational and unifying music is in a class of its own. It’s indisputable that Samanyanga, as he was affectionately known, was a great musician whose music touched many lives nationally, regionally and internationally. Indeed, a music giant has fallen and the music and arts industry will not be the same without this greatman who remained humble in spite of his achievement and artistic prowess.
As PTUZ, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones as we mourn the death of this Zimbabwean music legend.
We, however, take solace in the fact that Tuku’s legacy will live forever and that it will continue to inspire many generations to come.
Zimbabwe must draw inspiration from Dr Mtukudzi’s messages of peace and unity especially at this difficult time of division and polarization so that we learn to unite in our diversity for the greater good under one Zimbabwean flag. His great love and pride of being Zimbabwean and African is unquestionable and immeasurable.
He was a human rights defender par excellence who raised the bar consistently and high for many of us that it will not be easy for anyone to fill the void he left.
His love of African culture was second to none.
We also take solace in realising that at least this giant has made history in being the first musician to be accorded the national hero status by ZANU PF political bureau (politburo) and the Government. We are gratified that President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s government has at least agreed with our long held view that there are so many deserving heroes outside ZANU PF politics who can be bestowed with this National Hero/Heroine status. Even in the absence of an inclusive plaform for bestowing National Hero/Heroine status upon outstanding Zimbabweans, which is the most ideal scenario, ZANU PF has done what it failed to do under former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe by according this honour to someone outside its rank and file as had become the norm.
Tuku was always a national hero in the eyes of the broader society even if inadvertently he had not been declared as one by this ruling party administration. Surely, nothing would take away the fact that he was loved very much by Zimbabweans and beyond our borders. We hope many more national heroes and heroines out there in various fields will be honoured in future irrespective of their political affliation or lack thereof as long as they excel and serve their country with distinction in whatever field of their endeavour.
History has been made and new ground broken in the present case by Dr Mtukudzi, Tuku, Samanyanga as he was affectionately known by his legion of fans.
This is time for celebrating a Hero who contributed positively to the nation of Zimbabwe and the world over.
PTUZ would like to state without any equivocation that it would be remiss of us as a nation if we do not broaden and widen our perspective of national hero/heroine status so that people who contribute much to our country even during time of peace are recognized and given a befitting honour.
Thank you for sharing your talent with Africa and beyond and raising the flag of Zimbabwe higher. You have done your nation proud and left an indelible mark which we will forever cherish. May your Dear Soul Rest In Eternal Peace Oliver Mtukudzi Samanyanga. Tears may dry, but memories of your good works will live on.
Go well our national hero! Long live Tuku Music! You served your country well. You left us a heritage to remember. To us the passing on of Tuku must galvanize the nation towards a path of tolerance peace and love.This nation must use the death of this celebrated icon to bury our dark and gory goings on of the recent past. This is the God given opportunity for A NATIONAL DIALOGUE that can extricate us from our political and economic mess.We may never get another opportunity to bury the hatchet and unite our nation towards National Reconciliation.
Go Well Son of the soil. In your case Rufu rwaita masanganise not madzongonyedze.Sworn enemies will unite in bidding you farewell so why can’t they unite in uniting the nation and inspire the nation’s economic recovery and prosperity.
Go Well the PEOPLE’S HERO.
PTUZ Secretariat
SG
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