MASVINGO — Music maestro Oliver Mtukudzi is set to be conferred with an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in Ethno-Musicology at the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU)’s eighth graduation ceremony to be held this Friday, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rungano Zvobgo, has said.
TATENDA CHITAGU OWN CORRESPONDENT
In an interview yesterday, Zvobgo said Tuku, as Mtukudzi is affectionately known by his legion of fans that span across globe, would be awarded the doctorate in line with his invaluable contribution to the arts and entertainment sector in the country and beyond.
“We are going to award him an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Ethno-Musicology for his sterling contribution to the music industry in Zimbabwe, as well as his work that is recognised internationally and thus putting the country on the global map. He is the cultural ambassador of Zimbabwe,” Zvobgo said.
Zvobgo said this time it is “definite” that Tuku is going to get the accolade, as a previous move to honour him at the institution’s seventh graduation ceremony last year was cancelled at the last minute under unclear circumstances.
Sources, however, said Mtukudzi could not get the honorary doctorate for fears that he would “steal the thunder” from President Robert Mugabe, the university’s Chancellor, who was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in African Heritage and Philosophy at the ceremony last year.
Tuku has won several music awards and has more than 60 albums in his more than three-decades-long musical career.
