All is set for Tuku Memorial Concert.

Letwin Mubonesi

All is set for the late legend’s memorial concert scheduled tomorrow night at Glamis Arena in Harare. This is the second memorial concert following the poorly attended tributary gig which was organized by National Arts Council of Zimbabwe in July this year.

There have been several commemorative gigs in Zimbabwe, but the legend’s memorial concert appears to be the mother of all memorials because the line- up of international and local artists to grace the event bears testimony to how much of an icon Doctor Oliver Mutukudzi was.

Mtukudzi or Tuku as known by his legion of fans, worked with almost everyone and he was an inspiration that every artist wished to have collaborated with.

South African music singer, Mi Casa, Zambian singers —Amayenge and James Sakala are also billed to grace the Tuku Memorial Concert event. Mi Casa is expected to arrive at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport at around 4pm today while the Zambian artistes are scheduled to arrive at any time of the day since they will be travelling by road.

Partson Chimboza of Chipaz Promotions who is the event organizer said there will be a welcome party at Dream Nightlife, formerly Club Sankayi welcoming the musicians.

“There will be a welcome party for the artistes who are coming from South Africa and Zambia. I am sure they will be in the country late in the afternoon. We want to create an environment where they can feel at home and get any opportunity to mix and mingle with people and artists who will be able to attend the event,” said Chimboza.

Sungura bae, Alick Macheso will tomorrow lead an array of local musicians to perform at the Concert where other heavy weights, Winky D and Jah Prayzah are set to take to the stage. Soul Jah Love who has not featured in any of the Tuku memorial concerts before will also grace the stage with some of the talented young artists like of Enzo Ishall, Tocky Vibes, Kinna, Blot and the Black Spirits to mention a few. Diana Samkange Mangwenya is also expected to take to the stage.

Daughter to the late music icon, Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Selmor Mtukudzi, is also on the list of the artists set to perform at the concert. She took it to her Facebook account to confirm her participation at the event. Selmor indicated that she will be performing for free at the show she considers to be a family event.

Tuku died on January 23 at Avenues Clinic at the age of 66 after battling diabetes for a long time. He died the same day as his friend South Africa’s Hugh Masekela died a year before.

He released 66 albums, appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, received a Kora All Africa Lifetime Award and performed in many international cities around the world. His net worth runs into millions of dollars including a rich discography and Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton among others.

Apart from being a legend in the music sector, the super star was also the lead actor in the movies Jiti and Neria, released in the 1990s. He also wrote and directed the musical production, ‘Was My Child.’