Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Trust Khosa
20 September 2008
Harare — DIABETIC Oliver Mtukudzi says he would not let those speculating about his health ruin his career and boldly stated that only death shall separate him from music.
There is a section of society that has been spreading malicious rumours about Tuku's health.
There is also an email circulating in which the artiste is pictured with two fans and one of the numerous "captions" reading:
"At the weekend Tuku held the socalled PreBirthday bash/Welcome show. But was it really a welcome show, or it was actually the FAREWELL show?"
It is however, no secret that the notable effects of diabetes is weight loss as one's body will not be getting enough energy from the cells.
To fulfill this deficiency the body starts to break down the fat cells and muscle tissues for energy, resulting in a rapid weight loss.
The other effect is tiredness, again due to glucose.
Glucose in the food we take goes into the blood where there should be insulin to help it out.
Cells use this glucose to produce energy, but when there is not enough insulin, the cells also do not react to it.
The glucose is then not entered into the blood, the cells become energydeficient and the diabetic feel run down and tired.
However, Tuku has been coping very well and has been able to fulfill all shows arranged including last weekend's performance at the Harare Exhibition Park.
This is why he does not see himself retiring from music.
At the moment, Tuku says his focus was on celebrating his birthday party at his Pakare Paye Arts Centre this afternoon.
"I will be celebrating life on Saturday. Ende ndinenge ndichidada musi wacho. I will also perform on that day.
"That question of me retiring from music is very cruel to be honest. Zvakafanana nokundibvudza kuti muchafa riini (it's like asking me when will I die).
"How can I retire from myself? I have got so many plans in my life. I hope to fulfil some of them if God allows me to live longer.
"There are people cooking stories about me and enriching their pockets.
"Kazhinji vanhu havangoiti chinhu pasina zvavanowana. Pane vamwe varikutodya nazvo, let them do that and see how God will bless them," said Tuku.
Apart from rumours about his health, there has been talk of disharmony in Tuku's camp over financial matters which have been linked to the retirement of longserving Black Spirits member, Eric "Picky" Kasamba.
There was talk that Tuku's only son Samson quit the tour of UK last month after a fallout over the control of gatetakings.
"The tour of the Oliver Mtukudzi has been hit by serious family clashes between Sam Mtukudzi and his Father Oliver who is trying to groom his son for the future (sic).
"But the son seems to have other ideas (confirming Oliver Mutukudzi's song deedza amai vemwana ndakuvara)
"Oliver and Sam entered into a protracted struggle over the control of the funds from the gate collections.
"Sam thinks that it is his turn to write cheques and approve payments for holidays and workers.
"However, his father thinks that he is not yet ready to take care of the cash.
"This has caused serious divisions in the family run business and even threatening to split it.
"The insiders claim that Picky left the band because of this problems although the media underreported the issue.
"They say Picky did not want to be managed by Sam mwana waakaona achizvarwa here. He left.
"Sam Mataure is the one who has been acting (Thabo) Mbeki in trying to keep the two together but was shocked when Sam told him not to intervene in the family sovereignty of the Samanyanga Family," ran one of the reports.
However, Tuku said it was an unfounded and unfortunate story manufactured by people who do not know anything about his family.
"I don't have a problem with Sam. He is a good boy and I am proud of him. We have never argued before. Right now, he is in South Africa doing his own things and I commend his progress.
"I am actually shocked to hear that I am not getting along with my son and I don't know what people are talking about.
"Like I said before, I will let them say what they want because I have no time to respond to that.
"I will see how God will best reward them for dragging my name in the mud."
Meanwhile, Tuku insists that he is not famous.
"I don't think I am famous. In fact my songs are famous and not myself. I also believe that there is no famous artiste in Zimbabwe and those that think they are in this category will be fooling themselves."
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