So Selmor Mtukudzi failed to perform at her late father’s inaugural festival at Pakare Paye Arts Centre. Her words sliced my heart. “Muchasvika riniko muchindirwira guys. Handibatwi semwana wepano…” Yaa mashoko aya makukutu.
This is what many people/children suffer at the hands of stepmothers. I don’t understand why women want their kids to be treated well by another man when they don’t treat the man’s kids well. That’s devilish!
Dr. Oliver Mtukudzi is a renowned person who is widely revered both in Zimbabwe and beyond. A few months ago, I listened to a South African radio show where they talked about his tremendous accomplishments, notably his activism, something I was previously unaware of. When chatting with individuals from various nations, they commonly mention Mtukudzi alongside politicians such as President Mugabe, emphasizing his enormous impact and esteem. To appreciate Mtukudzi’s legacy, events commemorating him must be appropriately planned. His daughters, Sandra and Selmor, continue to carry on his musical legacy. Tuku is mostly recognized for his music, yet his influence extends far beyond that. Festivals like these should be handled properly. The world will judge our country from this. They may think that all Zimbabweans are like this.
I noted a few things:
1. I listened to Mukudzi’s widow, Daisy Mutukudzi’s interview where she said “I sent an email to Selmore to come for the gala.” She exposed how bad her character is. How can she send an email, instead of planning this together as a family? Selmor carries the DNA of Dr. Oliver Mutukudzi so she must be part of the organizers not to be invited. You invite outsiders, not Tuku’s biological child. Through an email. Hamundikoke pachiitiko chababa vangu, munofanira kuronga neni kana ndiri wemumhuri, simple.
2. Throwing the mic down in front of people who bought tickets to see you performing doesn’t look okay. However, it shows what she goes through in her life since childhood at the hands of her stepmother. I wish, I wish she had chosen a different song. The song broke her down. She was already emotional, her face could tell when she took the stage. “Changu chiiko?// Changu chiiko nhai Baba?// Chitema here kuve mukadzi?// Chitadzo here kuve mukadzi?//” )”What is mine? What is mine oh Father? Is it a sin to be a woman?”)
3. Selmor is respectful. She was not in the lineup for artists to perform at this festival. The fans of Dr. Oliver demanded that her daughter, Slemor must be there or else we will ditch it. This forced the chief organiser, Ms Daisy Mutukudzi to add her. The poster had Jah Prayazah on top with a bigger face, and Selmor down with a smaller face. People cried against Ms Daisy and said, no, Selmor must be on top and with a bigger face.
Selmor respected her father’s fans who fought for her and attended this gala. Otherwise, she had accepted her fate that she was not needed at her father’s festival. She is used to being treated like an outsider as she said “kubvira riini ndichibatwa kunge ndisiri mwana wepano?” She couldn’t stepped her foot there if it wasn’t for the fans.
In 2021, the government was paying artists because they couldn’t do shows because of lockdown restrictions. Selmor refused to take the money on behalf of her father, she said to give it to Ms Daisy Mtukudzi, her stepmother. Imagine! She respects her stepmother but still she is always on the losing side.
4. Men usually fail to protect their children from bad stepmothers. This is the reason why some men decide not to marry again. They know how many stepmothers mistreat their kids. Dr Tuku should have fixed this mess while he was still alive.
5. Family issues should not be brought to the public. In this case, the public noted a family issue through Ms Daisy Mtukudzi’s character. She is to blame. She is a mother, a devout Methodist Church member, a Christian, and an elder, so such a thing is not expected from her by the public. Selmor never brought family issues to the public. She tries by all means to hide this but emotions are too much for her to bear when and breaks down on stage. It’s so sad.
Rinamanyanga hariputirike. It’s a lesson to all of us anyway. Let love lead. Family should be family before standing in front of the world.
Cheers!!
Kelvin Jasi
www.kelvinjasi.net