Dendera fans in for a treat . .. as Chimbetus unite for Tuku’s birthday bash

The Chimbetu Dynasty

Often dendera music lovers have been divided over who they should follow or listen to in the wake of several outfits all led by Chimbetu family members. This has to some extent caused confusion and feuding with the Chimbetus who are known to be the custodians of the dendera genre.

Oddly enough, all the Chimbetus sing the same songs and perform the same dance routines on stage. But, for once, the Chimbetus are set to come together and perform as one group. This would be a rare treat for their legion of fans who have been asking whether or not prospects of uniting the family in song and dance were attainable.

Stars billed to grace Tuku’s birthdayBash

Oliver Mtukudzi

We only get to read about celebrities throwing huge birthday parties to celebrate with their families and loved ones through the foreign media, but this time the flamboyant celebrations are coming to Zimbabwe in September.

Jazz 105 director and entertainment promoter Josh Hozheri said his joint is planning a big birthday bash for superstar Oliver ‘‘Tuku’’ Mtukudzi to celebrate his 60th birthday. “We are planning big things for mudhara Tuku as he will be celebrating his 60th birthday in September.

‘Masanga Bodo’ unbundled

Oliver Mtukudzi

WHEN superstar Oliver Mtukudzi staged his new musical, “Masanga Bodo”, at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare, at the weekend, many of his fans didn’t understand why he was departing from his usual format.

The majority of diehard Tuku fans who didn’t understand what a musical was all about finally got the picture
when Tuku and a cast of fellow musicians, actors and dancers blended their diverse talents to come up with something novel, totally different from Tuku’s ordinary shows.

Tuku, Sulu welcome Roki

Oliver Mtukudzi

Rockford “Roki” Josphats will on Saturday stage his first show after disqualification from Big Brother Stargame. Roki, who returned home last Thursday, will share the stage with Oliver Mtukudzi, Sulumani Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah and Diana Samkange at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).

The urban grooves musician had a chance to meet his fans at a welcome party held in Newlands last weekend while tomorrow he will be expected to have a similar event in Kwekwe. But the Saturday show will be his first public performance since his unceremonious exit from the Big Brother Stargame reality show.

Tuku appointed Tourism Ambassador

Oliver Mtukudzi

Music legend Oliver Mutukudzi has been appointed the country's cultural tourism ambassador in a move which was welcomed by many. Isdore Guvamombe of Zimbabwean Herald, describes one of his latest performances as Tourism Ambassasador:

WHEN night fell on Victoria Falls on Monday May 21 2012, it was as if that was dawn. No one stayed home, including known hypochondriacs, the lame and the infamy. The real music of Zimbabwe called them, it knocked on their doors, their hearts and their souls.

Tuku to hold farewell Gig Before emabarking on Europe and American Tour

Tuku and Macheso

Superstar Oliver Mtukudzi is expected to hold a farewell gig in Harare on the 30th of June before he tours Europe and America. Tuku is expected to hold a spectacular farewell show for his fans before his tour of Europe and America.

His manager Sam Mataure says the veteran musician is expected to return in September and will host his 60th birthday gig. "We have organised this wonderful show for our fans as we are going on a tour of Europe for some time. When we come back our fans will join us in celebrating superstar's 60th birthday gig," said Mataure.

Tuku presents unique musical



Oliver Mtukudzi

Veteran musician Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi will tonight team up with various local artists in a unique musical titled “Masanga Bodo” to be held at 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale. The show will feature 25 artists from different genres who include Pauline Gundidza, Ex Q, Tapiwa Chibaya, Chiyedza Chevatendi, Jackie Nyamutumbu, Tsvete, Pakare Paye Arts Ensemble and Guruve Marimba Arts Ensemble.

Tuku’s new musical ‘Masango Bodo’ premieres at 7 Arts

OLiver Mtukudzi

SUPERSTAR Oliver Mtukudzi will add another feather to his cap when his new musical “Masanga Bodo” premieres at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare, this Friday. This is Tuku’s third musical after “Was My Child” and “Nzou neMhuru” which were released to critical acclaim.

In “Masanga Bodo” Tuku brings together a total of 20 artistes from diverse musical genres to make up the cast of the production which fuses live music, dance and drama. The artistes include EX-Q, Pauline Gunduza, daughter Selmor Mtukudzi, Tapiwa Chibaya of the group Chiyedza Chevatendi, Pakare Paye Arts Ensemble, Guruve Marimba Arts Ensemble, mbira player Jackie Nyamutumbu, Pakare Paye-based group Tsvete, as well as Tuku himself and his wife Daisy.

Tuku set for Londoners maiden show

Oliver Mtukudzi

KATEKWE superstar Oliver Mtukudzi is expected to ignite a revelling mood at popular Harare nightspot Londoner Sports Bar in his maiden performance billed for tonight. Tuku, as he is affectionately known by his legion of fans, will share the stage with afro-jazz artiste Josh Meki of the “Bvompfo” fame and the David Machowa-led theatrical group Apama Styles.

New Tuku Musical to explode in Harare

NORTON – A new musical by Tuku entitled Masanga Bodo will be staged at 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare, on the night of Friday 22 June 2012.

A cast of 25 artists is now in full rehearsal for the musical written by Tuku who is also the production’s artistic director.

The musical fuses diverse musical genres from Tuku’s own katekwe to urban grooves…gospel to traditional dance and contemporary Zimbabwean music.



Pauline Gunduza sings Nyarara Mwanawe consoling Tuku and wife Daisy in Masanga Bodo



Tuku 'I am health and Kicking'

Oliver Mtukudzi

MUSIC superstar, Oliver Mtukudzi, has scoffed at reports of poor health, warning that people should be wary of false prophets. One of the rising self-proclaimed Pentecostal “prophets”, Ambassador Ishmael (real name Ishmael Mangwanya), recently “prophesied” during an inter-denominational gathering in Harare that Mtukudzi was in a health scare and instructed his congregation to pray for the artist.

Tuku Festival in Marondera

Oliver Mtukudzi

The usually serene town of Marondera is set to roar into life tomorrow with an event dubbed “Tuku Festival” at Malwatte Village. The first of its kind, the festival is to celebrate Oliver Mtukudzi’s musical prowess and his recent 60th birthday.

The festival will see the granddads of Zimbabwe music Mtukudzi and Steve Chikoti sharing the stage with Daiton Somanje and Club Shanga, among others. According to the event organiser Mark Scott of Malwatte Village, the festival will be an open air concert. 

Tuku's Solo Journey continues

Oliver Mtukudzi

Superstar Oliver Mtukudzi returns to Sports Diner International tomorrow night for a solo performance. He last performed at the joint five years ago and his return is expected to rekindle a party mood among his fans, who for some time have been wondering why he was no longer performing at the popular spot. Talented choreographer and musician Allan Chimbetu will be the supporting act.

Tuku, Iyasa to play at Victoria Falls



Oliver Mtukudzi

RESIDENTS of Victoria Falls will next week be treated to a free entertainment buffet when Zimbabwean international music icon Oliver Mtukudzi plays in the town, courtesy of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.

Dubbed “Zimbabwe Cultural Night”, the free entertainment buffet slated for the golf course at Elephant Hills Hotel, will be held on the sidelines of the Africa Travel Association Congress scheduled for Victoria Falls from May 18-22. ZTA is urging residents of the resort town to join the more than 300 ATA participants anticipated at the convention, in celebrating Zimbabwean music and dance.

Tuku entertains self at birthday

Oliver Mtukudzi

It is usually the case that one gets a treat from loved ones on their birthday but on Sunday Oliver Tuku” Mtukudzi did it for himself. He treated himself on his 60th birthday on stage at the closing ceremony of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa).

Tuku took an hour out of his special day to treat himself, his friends and fans to a fantastic repertoire of old and new tunes. The granddaddy of Zimbabwean music was joined on stage by several of his musical friends including female musician and bassist Judith WeUtonga, Senegalese muso Ishmael Lo who attempted bellowing out some Shona rhythms in honour of Tuku and the American band Publish the Quest.

Oliver Mtukudzi collaborates with top musicians

Oliver Mtukudzi

Zimbabwean music legend Oliver Mtukudzi brought Hifa to a breathtaking finale with classy closing gig on the Telecel Main Stage in which he collaborated with Senegalese superstar Ismael Lo and several others.

Tuku, who was celebrating his 60th birthday, put up an energetic and well-choreographed show that befitted the ending of what has become a truly world-class arts festival.

Tuku Needs your prayers - Prophet

Oliver Mtukudzi

A rising self-proclaimed Pentecostal prophet, Ambassador Ishmael (real name Ishmael Mangwanya), has asked Zimbabweans to pray for Tuku. Ambassador Ishmael made the call at an inter-dominational gathering at Reliance House in Harare over a week ago. “Pray for Oliver Mtukudzi with regards to his health,”he told congregants.

HIFA to close with Tuku's 60th Birthday

Oliver Mtukudzi

The annual Harare International Festival of the Arts, HIFA which kicked off Tuesday night and runs for six days, is due to close with a spectacular show this weekend which will celebrate music icon Oliver Mtukudzi's 60th birthday.

Sunday nights show will also feature Senegalese legend Ismael Lo and rising Zim stars Edith WeUtonga, a local band fronted by female bass player Edith Katiri.

Tuku, Sulu to shake up Book Café

Two of Zimbabwe’s crowd-pullers, Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi and Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu have a big meet” with a joint show at the new Book Café on Monday April 30, the eve of Workers-Day celebrations. 

It is Tuku’s debut at the popular arts hub which relocated and re-opened in March, but not the first collaboration between the two award-winning artistes. Tuku recorded on Sulu’s song Kwedu in 2010, sharing a verse, and they have done on-stage collaborations “here and there.

Tuku, Ismael Lo to bring Hifa curtain down

Oliver Mtukudzi

ZIMBABWEAN music legend Oliver Mtukudzi is billed to share the stage with his Senegalese counterpart, Ishmael Lo, at the closing ceremony of this year’s edition of the Harare International Festival of the Arts at the Telecel Main Stage in the Harare Gardens on Sunday May 6.

The event has been earmarked as a special occasion for the festival with the Zimbabwean music  doyen celebrating his 60th birthday. And to add to the thrill will be inclusion of the Senegalese music wizard who will have to wait for an extra day just to partner with Tuku for the momentous concert.