The Zimbabwean Legend Oliver Mntukudzi Has passed on

By Nqobile Mafu

Zimbabwe’s top musician Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi has died, multiple local media portals reported on Wednesday, January 23.

The state-owned Herald said he was 66. Mtukudzi died after a long diabetes battle. He was pronounced dead at the Avenues Clinic located in the capital, Harare.

He was a big deal especially with his guitar. One of his high-profile performances last year was during the burial of former Prime Minister veteran opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.

Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi was a Zimbabwean musician, businessman, philanthropist, human rights activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Southern Africa Region. Tuku was considered Zimbabwe's most renowned and internationally recognised cultural icon of all time

Award-winning Zimdancehall artist, Obey Makamure, stage name Tocky Vibes has lashed at local artists who imitate American lifestyles in their music videos saying it is a sign of identity crisis.The song which has been well received by the public might get the musician in trouble with Zanu PF activists following recent incidents of another dancehall singer Winky D, who is reported to be in hiding after suspected Zanu PF activists stormed his home.

The Mhai hitmaker said as musicians they should be singing on issues, adding that the obtaining environment would review who was doing music for the people.

This follows angry protests against fuel price increases and rising poverty by citizens, eliciting an ugly response from a military that reportedly killed a dozen and left many nursing gunshot wounds.

In the charged 4 minute track, Tocky Vibes, real name Obey Makamure, bluntly lets out his feelings about losing respect for the country’s armed forces.

He questions soldiers’ conscience on why they would obey orders from their superiors to murder and torture civilians.

Death in Paradise cast break silence on Danny John-Jules exit 

The cast of Death in Paradise are speaking out for the first time exclusively to Digital Spy about the departure of their long-time co-star Danny John-Jules from the show.

John-Jules became the latest in a revolving door of exits from the island-based mystery series at the end of its seventh season, saying that he needed "a bit more razzmatazz". Sure enough, he soon joined Strictly Come Dancing.

Danny's character Officer Dwayne Myers will be replaced on the Saint Marie police squad by Shyko Amos as the police commissioner's niece Ruby Patterson.
Death in Paradise returns to BBC One on Thursday, January 10 at 9pm.