Oliver Mtukudzi’s 60th album Abi’angu (Duets of My Time) has been released in Zimbabwe. The CD was first released recently in South Africa by Sheer Sound and is now available locally courtesy of Tuku Music.
The 15-track album is a compilation of duets Tuku did with friends, Judith Sephuma, Cesaria Evora, Ringo Madlingozi, Phinda and Mahube, Jaziel Brothers, Siphokazi, Maureen Lilanda, Mutubambile Choir, JK, Afro Tenors, Eric Wainaina, Kudzai Sevenzo, Charles Chiweshe, Willom Tight and X-Q.
The album is in stores in Harare including Jazz 105, Meikles, Greatermans, Barbours, Music World, Village Rock and Crocodile Rock. The album was recorded in various studios with different artists and producers in many countries over the years.
Says Tuku about Abi’angu: “My friends, I cannot have a duet song with myself. It can only be a duet with a friend. Your heart which is so close to me, just as mine is to yours, can only be this close by accepting each other. Thank you for being such a friend forever and for the friendship that will be forever even after our lives are spent. People may forget that we are friends when we are gone but with the recorded duets like these, the memories of our close ties will live on forever.
“There are many who I call friends who don’t appear on this album, please believe that you are not forgotten and our friendship goes the same. I am proud to be your friend. I pray and hope these duets will serve their purpose towards making our fans the good friends we have become and are.
“I thank God Almighty for the many friendships and relationships I enjoy with both my extended musical family as well as my large family of fans and the public at large who appreciate my music. I love you all and we will forever be friends.”
Meanwhile, Tuku shared his career experiences with school children during a careers day for schools in Mashonaland West province at St Eric’s High School recently.
Tuku was invited as the guest of honour and he spent five hours with the pupils.
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“There is great need to debunk the myth that the only chance of future employment, considering the current unemployment levels, is gaining some professional qualification. Indeed vocational training and maximising potential in talent can land one into a life-sustaining occupation,” he told the pupils.
“I went to school for the wrong reasons because I wanted to please my parents that I was in school. But you must not go to school because you want to please your parents. Go to school to choose careers of your individual choices, something that defines your individual talents and capabilities. You can’t be in school because your parents want you to be an engineer when you know very well that you are inclined to the arts and that you are good in that area. Don’t fall into the trap of being in school and learning but coming out uneducated.”
Tuku works with children in various areas seeking to stimulate positive social change and the sustainable development of children. He was recently appointed Unicef Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa.
