Veteran journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has called for an end to the public scrutiny and gossip. Chin’ono, who had a close professional relationship with the legendary musician, urged both the media and the public to allow the family to resolve their issues privately, warning that continued attention could tarnish the legacy of the celebrated artist.
Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, widely regarded as one of Zimbabwe’s greatest musical exports, passed away in January 2019. However, recent tensions within his family have drawn public attention, with disagreements between his widow, Daisy, and other family members surfacing in the media. Chin’ono expressed his disappointment at the spectacle, emphasizing that it not only disrespects the late musician but also fuels division and pain within the family.
“Let us respect him and now move on from his private life. I respectfully hope that his family can resolve their issues privately too and not make a spectacle of it, as it is tarnishing his memory,” Chin’ono wrote.
The journalist reflected on his decades-long relationship with Mtukudzi, praising the late musician’s contributions not just to the arts, but to the country at large. Chin’ono fondly remembered how Mtukudzi provided soundtracks for several of his award-winning documentaries without expecting compensation. Tuku’s son, Sam Mtukudzi, who passed away tragically in 2010, also shared his father’s generosity by contributing music to Chin’ono’s work, further solidifying the family’s deep-rooted sense of collaboration and goodwill.
Chin’ono acknowledged that, like all people, Mtukudzi was not without flaws, but his mistakes should not overshadow the immense cultural and personal contributions he made to Zimbabwean society. “We all agree that he gave so much to this country’s well-being, and for that, he deserves our respect,” he said.
While expressing empathy for the family’s pain, Chin’ono reminded the public that families everywhere face private struggles, and these should not be fodder for public consumption. He implored the media and public figures to refrain from inciting further conflict or deepening the divisions within the Mtukudzi family. “What they need are voices that help them become a happy family, not voices of polarity,” he urged.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Chin’ono credited Mtukudzi with being a key figure in his own success as a journalist. He recounted how the singer featured in his first documentary, Pain in my Heart, which won him the prestigious African Journalist of the Year Award in 2007. Tuku, according to Chin’ono, was genuinely happy for his success, demonstrating the kind of supportive relationship they shared over the years.
Chin’ono closed his message with a plea to let Oliver Mtukudzi, affectionately known as “Samanyanga,” rest in peace. He called on Zimbabweans to focus on the musician’s timeless music and legacy, rather than the controversies surrounding his personal life. “Let us enjoy their music and not dwell on gossip that erodes their great work,” Chin’ono said, sharing rare recordings of both Tuku and his son Sam to remind the public of their enduring contributions to Zimbabwean music.
