Chivayo reunites Selmor and Daisy Mtukudzi

Musician Selmor Mtukudzi has appeared publicly with her estranged stepmother Daisy Mtukudzi after businessman Wicknell Chivayo made their reconciliation a condition for collecting gifts he had pledged to the singer.

Videos shared on Thursday showed Selmor and Daisy together at Enterprise Car Sales, where they collected a brand-new 2026 Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 reportedly worth US$68,000, along with US$20,000 for fuel.

Chivayo separately pledged US$20,000 to Daisy for her personal upkeep.

When announcing the gifts, Chivayo urged the two women to put their longstanding differences aside.

"Life is too short to hate one another and hold generational grudges,” he said.

Chivayo had instructed Selmor to invite Daisy to accompany her when collecting the vehicle and cash, effectively bringing the two together in public for the first time in years.

It remains unclear whether the reunion marks a resolution of the longstanding family disputes or was primarily a response to the condition attached to Chivayo's gifts.

Chivayo announced the presents on September 4, about two weeks after Selmor posted a video defending his programme of donating vehicles and cash to musicians, religious leaders, footballers and other prominent figures.

He praised Selmor for preserving the legacy of her late father, legendary musician Oliver Mtukudzi, while establishing her own identity.

"What I particularly admire is your determination to build your own identity while proudly carrying such a powerful family name,” Chivayo wrote.

He added that following in the footsteps of a celebrated musician was difficult but praised Selmor for continuing to demonstrate her own talent and passion.

Chivayo then attached the reconciliation request to the collection of the gifts.

"Please call and ask Mama Daisy to accompany you to see Madzibaba Chipaga together next week on Monday and collect your 2026 brand-new Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 that has now been fully paid for and is ready for collection, together with US$20,000 cash for fuel,” he said.

"Mama Daisy will also get her 20 thousand USD for her personal upkeep.”

The two women subsequently appeared together at the dealership, complying with Chivayo's request.

The relationship between Daisy and Oliver Mtukudzi's daughters, Selmor and Sandra, has been strained for years, with tensions becoming more public following Oliver's death in January 2019.

Disagreements have involved Oliver's estate, his musical legacy and the position of his children from his earlier marriage to Melody Murape.

Daisy was named the principal beneficiary of Oliver's estate under a will lodged after his death, further deepening divisions within the family.

The dispute resurfaced publicly in September 2024 after Selmor was initially left out of the line-up for the Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival of the Arts at Pakare Paye.

She was later added to the programme following public pressure, but the controversy reignited longstanding tensions.

Selmor and Sandra subsequently appeared on the DJ Ollah 7 Podcast, where they made allegations about their treatment by Daisy during their childhood.

The sisters alleged that Daisy subjected them to physical and emotional mistreatment when they visited their father's home. They said the experiences left lasting emotional scars.

Those allegations were made by the sisters and have not been tested or established in court. Daisy has rejected the portrayal of her as an abusive stepmother, saying she had tried to accommodate the wider family and had herself been subjected to insults and criticism on social media.

Further disagreements have emerged over events celebrating Oliver's life and music, the management of his legacy and Selmor's participation in commemorative activities.

Chivayo's intervention followed Selmor's public defence of the businessman on August 20 after criticism directed at him and the musician on social media.

"The honest truth is that no musician in Zimbabwe will come out and say what Sir Wicknell is doing is bad, because for sure he is giving us life-changing opportunities,” Selmor said.

She also spoke about the financial difficulties musicians can face despite their public profiles.

Selmor recalled that she and her husband, musician Tendai Manatsa, travelled by commuter omnibus while living in Chitungwiza, even after the success of her 2013 song Nguva Yangu.

She said they were once photographed at a kombi rank and the image was shared online in a manner she felt was intended to embarrass them as children of a famous musician.

"What you're doing, you are removing shame for us as musicians, and we really appreciate it,” she told Chivayo.

Chivayo subsequently responded with the vehicle and cash, while using the gesture to encourage reconciliation between Selmor and Daisy.

Their appearance together at the dealership has provided a public image of unity after years of family tensions, although it remains to be seen whether the meeting will lead to a lasting resolution of the deeper grievances between the two sides.