TAWANDA MARWIZI
The late superstar Oliver Mtukudzi’s family resolved not to talk about the future of his band, the Black Spirits, until his memorial service is held, but unfolding events may need the family to change its mind.
At the last family meeting, members urged the widow, Daisy, to work with Tuku’s daughters from his first marriage, Sandra and Selmor, while they wait for further instructions.
But nothing much has moved since that meeting: the widow and the daughters seem nowhere near unity as they battle to get the backing of Black Spirits’ band members.
Daisy is in fact pushing for her daughter Samantha to take over the band and fulfil some of the shows booked by Tuku before he died.
Selmor and Sandra are equally fighting to get the endorsement of the corporate world. Last weekend, the two sisters hosted a gig in Harare, while Samantha united with Mbeu to fulfil a gig that Tuku had booked before his demise.
Samantha and Mbeu performed with the Black Spirits band used by Tuku until his death, while Selmor and Sandra had former Black Spirits members that included Piki Kasamba and Clive Mono Mukundu.
Sources said the move to have Samantha leading some vocals in South Africa was aimed at introducing her to the international community. “There was the need for someone to take away stage fright from Samantha. Therefore they requested Mbeu to be with her,” a source said.
On the other hand, Selmor said it was a continuation from what she had been doing with her sister Sandra. “We were already in the music industry and we are going forward,” she explained. “I want to thank our sponsors, promoters, fellow musicians and our fans who came in their numbers to support us.”
Selmor could not comment on reports that they were jostling to get the backing of the Black Spirits. And efforts to get the Black Spirits manager, Walter Wanyanya, to speak on the issue were also fruitless.
The tussle threatens Tuku’s illustrious legacy. But Selmor has vowed to c o n t i n u e with her shows to preserve h e r father’s heritage.
