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It was evident from the show that Oliver Mtukudzi has achieved what any artist in Southern Africa aims for. The ultimate. He wowed all: the ghetto audience, the nouveau rich, and the predominantly white middle-class of Gaborone. Though, the man himself denies that he has reached the dizzying heights of stardom, his show confirmed it. There can be no denying that over the years the hard working musician has turned into a household name in most of Southern African high density locations, whether you go to Chitungwisa in his native Zimbabwe, or Katutura in Namibia, Tsolamosese or Old Naledi - the dumping places of surplus populations of Gaborone - or that mother of all ghettoes, Soweto, just outside Johannesburg. One is likely to hear the voice of the Zimbabwean muso punctuating dreary nights in Shebeens and other drinking holes. His fame and popularity is also being felt in the decaying rural settlements of Southern Africa. In a way, Mtukudzi has arrived as the people's choice. After decades of hard music playing, Mtukudzi is no longer considered a dans la rue musician, thanks to the popularity of his music with ordinary folks in the hovels of Southern Africa. His determination and self-discipline, are now paying dividends, forcing even the usually highbrow adjudicators of cultural innovation to stop in their tracks and recognise him. His music has changed very little over the years, but is now finally "ripening" and ushering him into undisputed stardom. Even in his hay day, Mtukudzi has stayed true to his tradition. He sings his music in his native Shona and that has not created any problems of communication. His music has crossed the threshold of class and cultural divide. Though the singer presented his music in vernacular, it presented no problems for the white folks that were the first to throw all inhibitions to the wind and take it to their toes. |
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