Like An Old Wine, Tuku Gets Better With Age
Thalefang Charles | Monday October 15, 2018 18:00
This was Mtukudzi’s ninth straight sold out show at the Botswanacraft since 2009. It was, however, his first performance since the fall of Robert Mugabe whose administration led to the great Zimbabweans migration after the collapsed economy. Mtukudzi, who still insists that he does not sing protest songs, is one of the two worldwide-recognised Zimbabwean artists, together with Thomas Mapfumo who stood tall through the good old and later troubled years of Mugabe administration.
Now at 66-year-old, Tuku as he is affectionately called by millions of his fans is not showing any signs of aging - well, at least on stage.
Although he denies that he wrote Wasakara, meaning “You Are Getting Old” for Mugabe, it is clear that he did not write the song for himself as he is getting better with age, just like old wine.
This ‘living legend’ still strums his guitar and dances as beautifully and energetically as his younger self.
Like all the other years, on Friday the lanky guitarist donning a white flowing chitenge suit with his signature colourful headgear, took the Botswanacraft audience on another journey of music and Shona stories.With over 56 albums and dozens of songs, Mtukudzi always spared his popular hits for last. But on Friday, a big part of the crowd sang along to most of his less known hits, which proved that they were loyal Tuku followers. The rest of the revellers only joined in popular hits like Neria. Talented guitarist, Kapenta Katuta opened up for Mtukudzi with some beautiful renditions of great African jazz hits.
Katuta, who is originally from DRC but lived in Botswana for 16 years, performed songs like the timeless wedding song by Jonas Gwangwa titled Kgomo, which the crowd sang along to.
There was also a surprise act by a gorgeous songstress called Berita.
Born Gugulethu Khumalo in Zimbabwe, Berita is a 27-year-old South African-based Afro pop songstress and guitarist.