Mtukudzi family feud rages… Selmor, Daisy to host separate events for Tuku celebrations

HARARE – After the drama that surrounded last year’s Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival of the Arts (OMIFA), hostilities seem to have been restored once again in the Tuku household, amid revelations that his daughter, Selmor Mtukudzi and his wife Daisy Mtukudzi are organising two shows, to be held a day apart, to celebrate his life.

Last year’s OMIFA saw years of tension finally spill into the public domain after Selmor was excluded from the initial list of performers for the festival.

The musician’s omission revealed tensions in the late Tuku’s household, including allegations of widespread abuse by Daisy made by Selmor and her sister Sandra.

A year later, the rift in the family does not appear to have been healed, amid revelations that Selmor is set to host her event, Tozeza Tuku Trial Run on 21 September, a day after OMIFA.

In an interview with H-Metro, Daisy said that everything was on course for OMIFA.

“We are proceeding with the programme as planned, on September 20, and this is the only way I can remember my late husband in the company of his fans,” she said.

“We have been busy with preparations despite a lack of funding and other challenges. Being an annual event, we want this occasion to serve its purpose for the benefit of all attendees. We will appreciate those who come to celebrate with us.”

When asked about the possibility of Selmor’s event serving as a counter attraction, Daisy said she did not care for actions made by overly dramatic people.

“Well, I am not on social media but there are people who tell me all sorts of stories. I have heard about their event and the people behind it. I wouldn’t want to comment much on that because people will end up criticising me on social media, as was the case last year.

“As I said earlier, I don’t want to talk much about that because, to me, it’s just gossip. When it comes to drama queens and kings, I am not there to control them.

“A lot has happened and is in the public domain ever since Tuku’s death. I have learnt to ignore some of these lunatics,” she said.

She also said that she felt overwhelmed and wished that her husband was around to handle some of the drama.

“I wish Tuku was here because he knew how to manage people. He had a special way of whipping people in line but now that he is gone, we can only celebrate his life. On that note, OMIFA 2025 is going ahead.”

Meanwhile, Evvone Mudzingwa, who is helping Selmor organize her gig, said their camp felt that the event had nothing to do with Daisy or OMIFA.

“This event has nothing to do with Daisy, it’s Selmor’s event where she is celebrating her father’s legacy. I am here solely to assist Selmor. I am a service provider managing the event,” she said.