“Kusvika Rinhi?”: Selmor Mtukudzi Breaks Down, Walks Off Stage At The Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival

Musician Selmor Mtukudzi was overwhelmed by emotions and she broke down before walking off stage at her father’s Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival last night.

The Festival

The inaugural festival, which celebrates the legacy of the legendary Zimbabwean musician, Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi who passed away in 2019, started yesterday at the Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton.

Themed “DAIRAI, SABELANI, ANSWER!” the festival also commemorates Tuku’s birthday on 22 September. The lineup included Gwevedzi ReDefined, Andy Muridzo, Killer T and Nisha T.

The festival, themed “DAIRAI, SABELANI, ANSWER!”, aims to honour Tuku’s contributions to music and culture while encouraging communities to unite and build a promising future.

ALSO READ: “She is Difficult”: Daisy Mtukudzi Speaks Out After Backlash Over Selmor’s Omission From Oliver Mtukudzi Festival

Selmor Mtukudzi Breaks Down On Stage At The Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival

When the programe was initially made public, Selmor was not included in the line-up. This omission led to significant backlash from fans and calls for a boycott.

Daisy Mtukudzi, Oliver Mtukudzi’s widow, explained that the situation was due to communication issues and not intentional. After the public outcry, Selmor was eventually added to the line up.

Yesterday, Selmor took to the stage for her set. She started with a rendition of her father’s song Changu Chiiko.

Tears started rolling down her cheeks and she took the opportunity to thank people for standing with her after a rough couple of days:

“I just want to say thank you so much to you guys. I’ve wanted to be on this stage for so many years. Dai pasina imimi makandirwira handaisvika pano. Hamheno kuti vakafa vanonzwa here. Ndoda kutenda Mdara wangu vakashanda vakativakira nzvimbo yakanaka kudai.

“Asi zvavaida hazvisirizvo zvirikuitika nhasi. Kusvika rinhi nhai hama dzangu ndichitaura muchindirwira every time? Ndosvika rinhi ndisingabatwe kunge mwana wepanapa?”

Selmor Mtukudzi choked on her words and she started wailing. Her band members and husband, Tendai Manatsa, walked to her to comfort her. Overwhelmed, Selmor thanked the audience, dropped the mic and walked off stage, crying her heart out.

Watch the incident below.

The post “Kusvika Rinhi?”: Selmor Mtukudzi Breaks Down, Walks Off Stage At The Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival appeared first on iHarare News.