For nearly a month, the name Mtukudzi has been tied to controversy in Zimbabwe. Social media is flooded with comments and content that seem to stoke the increasingly clear rivalry between the widow of the late musical icon, Dr. Oliver Mtukudzi, Daisy Mtukudzi, and her stepdaughters, Selmor and Sandra.

As many know, the legacy Mtukudzi left behind is one of global impact and influence. In Zimbabwe, he was honored with National Hero Status, a prestigious title once reserved strictly for war veterans and ex-combatants who fought in the liberation struggle, Chimurenga/Umvukela. Even after his unfortunate passing, the two largest funeral parlours in Zimbabwe, Nyaradzo and Doves, clashed over the handling of his body. Doves, traditionally responsible for National Hero burials, faced competition from Nyaradzo, where Mtukudzi was a client. This conflict reflected just how “great” Oliver was in the eyes of many.

However, a single podcast has sparked questions about the legend’s legacy, as his daughters, Selmor and Sandra, opened up about the unbelievable hardships they endured under their stepmother, Daisy.

What struck me the most was the revelation that when his daughters turned to him for help, Oliver would often refer them back to Daisy, leaving them feeling abandoned. In one particularly heart-wrenching instance, one of the daughters was reportedly left behind in a different town as a teenager when the family relocated. These accounts of alleged abuse are heartbreaking, but amidst it all, has anyone stopped to ask: Where was the mother of Selmor and Sandra during these painful times? At Mtukudzi’s funeral, she captured attention with her composed demeanor, telling stories of her love with Oliver when she was only 18. Yet now, the world questions what kind of mother she was while her children supposedly suffered.

Did Oliver insist on staying with his children after the divorce? Why were the girls not living with their mother? Was Oliver too engrossed in his career to remember that his children needed him? These questions beg for answers, and they might just shed more light on this complex family saga.

The year 2024 will undoubtedly be memorable for the Mtukudzi family. Selmor, an established artist in her own right, released a song on Friday, October 11th, which quickly garnered massive attention. In the track, she confronts the abuse she faced at the hands of her stepmother. As expected, the internet exploded, with some critics accusing her of going too far, while others encouraged her, saying it was her way of venting.

Just two days later, on Sunday, October 13th, a song by Daisy Mtukudzi resurfaced, an old track called “Pashoma.” Its chorus, “Pashoma pauinapo, ipapo rumirira, pauninapo, rumirira urarame,” translates to “Be content with the little you have and live within that means.”

The melody is unmistakably reminiscent of Oliver’s iconic style, with drums, guitars, and trumpets that evoke the sound Mtukudzi was known for. One can only imagine that if Daisy had released the song during Oliver’s peak, it could have easily been a global hit. While Selmor’s track carries a somber tone, speaking to the hearts of those who have faced similar struggles, both songs have stirred significant attention in Zimbabwe’s online community.

This entire ordeal started when Daisy removed Selmor from her father’s legacy show at ‘Pakare Paye.’ With the wildfire that is the internet, the family feud has reached a fever pitch, and the songs now serve as another chapter in the ongoing saga.

As we all know, the internet never forgets. Whether reconciliation happens or not, the Mtukudzi family has been on everyone’s lips in recent weeks. All we can do now is watch as the drama continues to unfold or, hopefully, as the credits roll on this episode of their lives.

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