HARARE – Sandra Mtukudzi, the daughter of the late great musician, has revealed that she used to be forced to share a plate with the family pet by her step-mother, Daisy Mtukudzi, who made sure that she did not receive the same privileges as her siblings in the Tuku household.
Sandra, is the Tuku’s oldest child from his marriage to Melody Murape. Her sibling, Selmor, has been in the spotlight this week, after she broke down and refused to perform during a festival to honour the late musician.
In an interview with DJ Ollah on his podcast, Sandra and Selmor revealed some harrowing details about their upbringing in the Tuku household, where their mother Daisy ruled with an iron-fist.
On some occasions, Daisy only allowed her to eat food that had been cooked for the family dog, while her siblings, Sam and Samantha, got favourable treatment. Sam (now late) and Samantha are Mtukudzi’s children with Daisy.
“I would be told that I had to share the pot with the dog. We had a dog called Kwanai and while others were eating rice, I would be told that I would get my sadza from the same put as Kwanai,” she said.
On another occasion, Sandra revealed she had got home to discover that her family had moved, leaving her in an unfurnished house.
“I remember an incident that happened when we lived in Kwekwe at a place called Glenwood. I was 16 turning 17 at that time.
“I knew my mum (step mum Daisy) and dad were building in Norton although I didn’t know that there was a house being built during that entire time. Everyone else knew about the house but I didn’t because I wasn’t supposed to know.
“So when the house was done, I remember they called people from church for a farewell. That’s when I found out that they would be moving but I was not told the date when this would happen.
“Then a few days later I met people in town telling me that they had seen my father around. So I thought that when I arrived home, I would find my parents at home.
“When I got the house was empty. I was so touched. People had gone to their new home and I was left with the garden boy in an empty home.”
Sandra said that when she was young, she even felt that she was beneath the family maid in the pecking order.
“I remember the day, we were told that we were going to a party. As children, we were excited at this but then the next day, we saw only Sam and Samantha preparing for the party.
“I, on the other hand was given a heap of laundry I needed to do. We had a maid but somehow I felt I was below the maid. Even in the house, Sam and Samantha had their rooms that were well prepared but I shared one with the maid.
“It was really painful and this is not just about the bedroom. It felt that I wasn’t appreciated or loved like the other children,” she said.
Sandra said as their father was always on tour, it was sometimes difficult for him to notice the mistreatment they suffered. She said that at times he seemed to be defeated by Daisy.
“I never complained to my friend but sometimes I would notice that he was defeated,” she said.
Selmor, regarded as the most gifted of Tuku’s surviving children, said that the initial snub for the festival made her recall similar incidents in their childhood, whereby she and her sister would be left behind when the rest of the family went on holidays.
“When I saw the flier for me it was painful. At the same time, I thought this is what they do every day. They just do these things on their own.
“Even as kids, we were always left behind. They would leave home with Samantha and Sam and go on holiday and we would be told to stay and look after the home,” she said.
A lot can be said after a man dies . I wonder if sharing family issues on social media does help at all
Just thinkin hangu kuti where was the mother of these children vachibatwa rough kudai…they were minors and needed their mother's love coz their mother was working as well….it looks like they were rejected by both biological parents and r good candidates for God's blessings…Hugs to you girls, God loves you focus on HIM and move on…
A real man will look after their children equally regardless of who their mother is. For someone like Tuku, there was no reason to let his illegitimate children suffer because of Daisy. He should have made arrangements for them elsewhere. It's by shear lucky and take great woman to look after another's children
Ahh gaslighting makuinyanya haana kuti aidya nembwe muplate one
It's not surprising. That's the behavior of most step moms except for a few. There are many children going through the same predicament only that there is no one to tell their story. When i was growing up I remember a story of a step mom who weirdly bundled a step son and locked him into a refrigerator. He died and the woman was thrown into prison.
It's either Step mothers can abuse children or Step children can lie about about their step mother's to create media war. We have to hear Daisy side also so we draw a line of truth.
Thy were traumatised and the flashback to wipe those memory out is nowhere, trauma response can take time to be out and be heard, its like an open wound, i kno hw tht feeling is,heavy side en memory
It's heartbreaking that some stepmothers go to extremes, but it's not entirely surprising. However, as men, we bear significant responsibility. If we have any moral compass, how can we justify neglecting our children due to animosity towards their mother? We must do better.
It's now water under the bridge but my sister the best way is to be successful and prove them wrong than continue looking back
God bless my step mom, she raised us well. Ma step mum musaita vana vakure vari traumatised.
I agree with the guy who said in this whole scenario the mother of these ladies is the very one to blame for divorcing their father.I don't know how Samantha feels like when you scold her mother like that when she also share the same blood with the 2 ladies
Kana musati masangana nayo team ye n'anga dzepa Amaven unoti inhema. Vangu vana faced same situation iyo . Vana vastepmother ndovanoto famba nemota dzimba dziri mumazita evana vastepmother zvese nemabvandiripo nevana vavowo. Vako vachikanga waya. Saka musati inhema .kutaura vanorwadziwa chero vakura.
Sad our local dramas back then used to show these social issues to bring awareness hino ikozvino kwava nanaMhamha Vee
A sign that even the little fabric of who we are is lost and gone
It is indeed crucial to carefully examine and reevaluate our current marriage laws. The fact that children may only feel comfortable sharing their experiences at a point when they have become independent highlights a concerning issue in the system. This delay in disclosing potential issues can create a situation where stepmothers, or other parties, may take advantage of the lack of communication and transparency within families.
Therefore, it is imperative that we not only review the existing marriage laws, but also consider implementing measures that encourage open and honest communication within families.
By fostering an environment where children feel supported and empowered to speak up about their experiences earlier on, we can help prevent situations where individuals may manipulate or exploit familial dynamics for their own benefit.
Ultimately, by prioritizing the well-being and voices of all individuals involved in a family unit, we can work towards creating a more equitable and secure foundation for all members to thrive within.
Actual chinokanganwa idemo but muti awukanganwi.We still having terrible moments that happened to us when we were still kids 😔😔😔😔
This battle is a woman battle it only need the lord to intervene.from muroora na amwene to step mother it's their story which is endless.but these are very grown up people where have they been all along only to share their story .Daisy was married long back and lived for many years with mtukudzi they should have come out and say it when their daddy was still alive.not now
90% of step mothers are cruel mostly to step daughters more than step Sons …. I really don't know if it's a woman to woman thing or what but this battle needs God . Unfortunately the minors suffers the most .
Before we judge, There are 3 sides to every story…
1. Kids side
2. Mother’s
3. And the truth…
Let’s have all the sides
Zvagara hakuna mukadzi anochengeta mwana weumwe mukadzi
Typical evil step mom behaviour what's new 😒
I put all the blame to their father. He is the one who caused this commotion
But where was dad when all this was happening? Varume huyai pano
In other words she is saying she grew up in a very poor family!!!
I don’t want to believe it
Anger and frustration will not lead them anywhere
They should swallow their pride ,seek counseling,respect each other
The main issue is on inheritance
The legacy association thing
Bad mouthing is a bad project
Sometimes we may blame it on the man but truth be said, some women are evil.
Kana sadza rikabikirwa mupoto inobikirwa imbwa iwe semwana wopakururwa iroro meant for dogs wodya, hausi kushare plate nembwa here when others varikupiwa rabikirwa mupoto inobikirwawo vanhu vasiri imbwa. Kuzvinzwa from podcast or from anywhere else nemanzwiro api doesn't make anything good from it. If it really happened then this was inhuman and a disgrace to motherhood. Moyo unenge uripai wemunhu kusvika pakadaro. Chengetai vana and vana chengetai vabereki. Hatidi kukusvudzira kuti vanhu vavengane but chakaipa chakaipa ngachisasakurirwe. Kana riri idi ririkutaurwa nevanasikana avo, take heart and do not be troubled ànymore. Surrender ALL to Jesus. God has HIS way of dealing with all those who commit evil against HIS children. Ingoonai GRACE kubva kwamakabva nepamava apa. Chiregai kutsvaga kudiwa nevasingakudei. Inzwai kuti kune akakudai nerudo rusingaenzaniswe nerwavanhu rune maconditions. Idai JESU chete and anogadzirisa zviripamoyo yenyu kwete anyone else. You already have a testimony and muchawana imwe testimony hombe. Mwari wedu haakotsire. You made your point and vanhu vachajudger asi ndaakutiwo zvangu chiregai zvekucharamba muri musocial media Kana mainterview ayo ari public to protect your dad's image and his legacy. He is nolonger around to say or defend his story and MHSRIP.