Pakare Paye Arts Centre, the iconic arts hub built by the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi, became the emotional backdrop for his daughter, Selmor Mtukudzi, as she performed at the Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival of the Arts this past Saturday. Selmor broke down on stage, sharing the pain and frustration she has endured under the hands of her step-mother, Daisy Mtukudzi.
The emotional moment came after years of exclusion. Despite being a key figure in continuing her father’s musical legacy, Selmor revealed that she had not been allowed to perform at the arts centre for seven years. Her eventual inclusion in the festival came only after public outcry, highlighting the strained dynamics within the Mtukudzi family since Oliver’s passing in January 2019.
Visibly moved, Selmor took to the stage alongside Piki Kasamba, a renowned member of the Black Spirits Band, a group that was integral to her father’s musical success. As she sang her father’s heart-wrenching song Changu Chii, the pain in her voice was unmistakable. It was as though she was questioning the world: What have I done to deserve this?
“I have always wanted to be on this stage. For seven years, I have wanted to be on this stage,” she shared, her voice breaking with emotion. She expressed her deep connection to the venue, yet lamented how it had strayed from her father’s vision. “I don’t know if the dead can hear what we say, but I would like to thank my father for building such a facility. But zvavaida hazvisi zviri kuitika nhasi (what he wanted is not what is happening today).”
Sources close to the Mtukudzi family revealed that Daisy had previously blocked Selmor from launching her album at Pakare Paye. They also suggested that Daisy consider involving Selmor more, as she had become the face of the Mtukudzi legacy in the wake of her father’s death.
“When they engaged her to perform, Selmor did not ask for money. In fact, she questioned when she had ever demanded payment for events meant to celebrate her father,” said one source. “Selmor is the only person who can take Pakare Paye to the next level.”
The arts centre itself has been struggling, with some facilities, including its studio, reportedly closed. For many, Selmor’s involvement could breathe new life into the space that her father cherished and built for the next generation of artists.
“Selmor is right to say that what is happening is not her father’s wish,” a source close to the family explained. “Tuku wanted all his children to be together. At one point, he even organized a lunch for all of them. He worked hard to keep his family united.”
