Oliver Mtukudzi. Photo: Anna-Maija Sievi
Oliver Mtukudzi, Zimbabwe’s much-adored Afro-jazz musical legend has died at the age of 66. Details have not yet been reported.
Mtukudzi affectionately referred to as “Tuku,” gained fame for his liberation-oriented music and lyrics, first resisting the odious White-minority regime of Ian Smith; later he was critical when independence hero Robert Mugabe clung on to power for too long. Mtukudzi has died on the same date as a year ago from when his great friend South African jazz icon Hugh Masekela died.
The two met in 1983 when Mtukudzi was performing and Masekela, who was in the audience, jumped on stage and started performing uninvited. The two struck up a remarkable friendship when Mtukudzi found out who the man who’d joined him on stage was.
