Lessons from Oliver Mtukudzi

LAST weekend I went fishing with my former schoolmate Million and after toiling the whole day we caught nothing. I was very discouraged and I openly told Million that I will not go back to the dam until September when it is warmer. On the other hand, Million did not appear to be bothered by our bad fortunes.

He boldly declared that he would go back to the dam the following weekend and the week after. He added that a true bass fisherman is never discouraged by having to postpone his self-gratification.

In his world there is no other sport except fishing. Catching or no catch he still fishes every weekend. Though he is not a musician, Million told me that he draws quite a lot of inspiration from Oliver Mtukudzi's musical career.

Mtukudzi or "Tuku" is affectionately referred to as a "Superstar" or "Big Dhara" by his fans. The following are some of the lessons he taught me about Tuku, our own superstar.

Following one's passion
He drove bravely against the wind by choosing a career in music at a time when most musicians were generally regarded as marombe (failures).

In the 1970s sports and music were generally not highly recognised as compared to a career in nursing and teaching.

He unashamedly followed his passion (instead of following the crowd) and joined a group called Wagon Wheels alongside Thomas Mapfumo in 1977.

He launched his first album in 1978 called "Ndipeiwo Zano". One can only succeed in life if he or she pursues what she or he enjoys regardless of what the society thinks.

Being deaf to the world
Going down memory lane Mtukudzi's form appeared to have taken a knock in the early 1990s. I remember vividly the kind of silly jokes we used to pass around then.

Back then we used his song "Chimbambaira Chiri Mupoto'' to mock him.

We used to say, "Uku ndokunonzi kupererwa manje (Mtukudzi has run out of ideas)''.

I have no doubt that he also heard some of our mockery but he chose to ignore them and soldiered on.

He eventually hit the right chord when he launched his album "Tuku Music" in 1999. Songs such as "Dande" illuminated the whole country. Since then he has not looked back.

Mtukudzi could have ruined his illustrious career had he allowed himself to agree with the several armchair critics who believed that his musical career was over in the early 1990s.

He demonstrated his strong mental attitude by soldiering on until success became synonymous with him.

As much as listening is an important attribute, one has to be careful who they listen to. People are advised not to pay too much attention to detractors and energy-sapping advisors.

Therefore, at times it is important to be deaf to the world (when undertaking ground breaking projects) and listen to your passion.

Respecting the customer
Mtukudzi is the most recognised voice to have emerged from Zimbabwe on the international scene. This did not just happen overnight. He sweated for it to happen.

He is now regarded as an entertainer par excellence. He is really driven by passion to entertain his customers. Whenever he performs on the stage, he leaves his followers asking for more.

He tries to meet the linguistic needs of his customers by composing songs in Shona, Ndebele and English.

Related diversification
Most people tend to follow where there is money and in the process they downplay or forget what their passion is.

As result, they meet mixed fortunes in their personal and business endeavours. Oliver is focused on the music industry. His music has been used as sound tracks in some local film productions in which he has featured.

He took part in "Jit" (1990), "Neria" (1993) "Shanda" (2002) and "Sarawoga". In addition, he also has a recording studio known as Tuku Music.

It appears all his business efforts are concentrated in one industry in which he has in-depth knowledge. This has helped to catapult his success in music industry.

Success follows effort
Since 1978, Mtukudzi has consistently recorded and produced at least one album a year. He has recorded 55 albums to date. There is no doubt that he is going to record more and better albums in the future.

If one looks at his achievements to date one would be tempted to think it was smooth sailing for him.

The truth of the matter is that Oliver worked hard to be where he is today. His song "Kukwira Gomo Hupoterera" summarises his philosophy of hard work, patience and persistence to achieve one's goal.

He got his first award after soldiering for 11 years in the highly competitive music industry. He got his first award in 1988 for the best selling Zimbabwean artiste between 1985 and 1988.

Thereafter, it took him another 14 years to win another award this time being the Kora Award in 2002.Thereafter, the reputational agencies were falling over each other to award Oliver.

He won 21 awards between 2002 and 2011 among them Nama, Kora, Reel, Zima and Sama awards.

He earned himself the equivalent of knighthood when he was awarded the Cavaliere or the Order of Merit award.

He is also Zimbabwe's first Unicef Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa. Among other awards, he was awarded an honorary degree (2003) and honorary MSC (Fine Arts) degree (2009) by the University of Zimbabwe and the Women's University in Africa respectively.

Mtukudzi's life and career amply demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between effort, consistency and success.

If success follows hard work, one wonders why our youths are gripped with the philosophy of get rich quick overnight schemes.

The ideals of meritocracy which defines the future of any country and its citizens is slowly being replaced by the new phenomenon of less effort, more luck, immediate recognition and self-gratification.

Zimbabweans should remember the saying that goes "Apunyaira haashayi misodzi" (consistent effort will eventually be rewarded).

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The writer is a Managing Consultant at CLC Training International. E-mail chiganze@iwayafrica.co.zw.