Published by the government of Zimbabwe
25 August 2009
Harare — PERFORMANCE poet Gift Gwariwa popular for Tamirira Mharidzo, his tribute poem dedicated to and featured on Cephas Mashakada'a album Zita Rine Zvarinoreva, says his latest tribute poem to Oliver Mtukudzi seeks to honour the great musician for his enormous contribution to African music and moral and social preservation.
Gwariwa's remarks come a few weeks after rumours of Mtukudzi's death had done the rounds both locally and abroad, sending shockwaves and grief among his family, fans and friends.
But in the latest poem, titled Wedu Wadadisa, Gwariwa (44) silences such rumour-mongers and instead uses his poetic skills to sing praises to Mtukudzi.
"He (Mtukudzi) is a personality who deserves recognition from everyone, including us writers and poets for all his achievements as a musician and also as a social and moral buffer.
"He is without doubt a music genius and no book can be complete without mentioning him," said Gwariwa. He added: "But it is a pity that some people are wishing him dead because frankly speaking, his death is something that no people in their proper senses would dream of."
The tribute poem uses the titles of some of Mtukudzi's songs and albums to send the message home.
"Ndiyeye gwenyambira anoziva kuti chivi chinouraisa/ uye rine manyanga hariputirwe/ Kana nairwo rufu rwakave madzongonyodze mubasa rake..." are part of the lines in one of the stanzas in the poem.
Asked what he intended to do with the poem, Gwariwa said he hoped to feature it in a compilation anthology featuring himself and other poets.
"I even went to Pakare Paye with the intention of seeing Mtukudzi, only to be told by his son Sam that he was currently on tour in Norway.
"Sam, however, expressed interest in the poem and assured me that he would update his father about it.
"I don't have any problem if Mtukudzi would give it a place at his Pakare Paye Arts Centre where visitors will read it and have a clear insight into the magnitude of what he has done for this country."
Apart from Wedu Wadadisa and Tamirira Mharidzo, the Chitungwiza-based poet has written tribute poems for other prominent figures.
These include Ndarangarira Gamba, dedicated to Dendera music founder Simon Chimbetu, one for the Zimbabwe Warriors team and another titled A Friend Indeed in which he pays homage to Tanzanians for standing by Zimbabwe during the armed struggle for independence.
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