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Selmor Mtukudzi

Danisa Masuku, Showbiz Correspondent
AFRO-JAZZ/Pop musician Selmor Mtukudzi, a member of Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family Church International (UFCI) has attributed the success of her career last year to the anointing oil given to her by the renowned prophet.

Last year Selmor — daughter of Zimbabwean music legend Oliver Mtukudzi — won the prestigious African Entertainment award in the Hottest Female Single category, beating South Africa’s Zahara and US-based Zimbabwean Tinashe for the hit song Nguva Yangu.

This year at the National Arts Merit Awards she won the Outstanding Female Musician Award.

The songstress made the revelations on UFCI programme Testimonials hosted by Pastor Prime Kufa two weeks ago. The video is available online on YouTube.

Selmor said after applying the anointing oil on her guitar and hands last year, her career started to turn for the better.

“Life was tough before joining UFCI. Due to difficulties I was facing at the time I decided to buy anointing oil, three months after joining the church.

“I then applied it to my body, hands and guitar. A week later I received an e-mail on a Sunday informing me that I was invited to South Africa for a female programme to campaign for women through speaking to the politicians and world leaders,” said Selmor.

She said she thought it was a usual invitation as such she did not take it seriously.

The invitation was however very special in that it connected her with nine musical divas from Africa and they together penned a song titled Strong Girl that promotes the focus on women and girls in sustainable development targets, under One Campaign.

“I was stunned after I opened my e-mail and realised that I was the last one to be invited and the only musician from Zimbabwe. It was as if after I applying the anointing oil, the organisers realised there is Selmor from Zimbabwe. There were nine of us from different parts of

Africa including Waje from Nigeria, Victoria Kimai (Kenya), Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania), Ariel T (Gabon), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Judith Sephuma (South Africa), Blessing (South Africa) and Gabriela from Mozambique,” said Selmor.

Selmor Mtukudzi (second from right) and her fellow Strong Girls in this file picture — Online picture

She said the nine musicians later engaged political leaders during the African Union summit in Johannesburg, South Africa to raise awareness on women’s issues.

Selmor added that because of the anointing oil she was chosen among nine artistes to meet founder of One Campaign, Bono of U2.

“I had to fly to Nigeria to meet the founder of the organisation Bono of U2 who hails from United States of America. I had a good time with him realising that I’m sitting with the billionaire. I shared my thoughts with him on issues to do with women empowerment especially in Africa,” she said.

Selmor said due to the power of the anointing oil, her life has changed for the better.

“I’ve realised that since I started using anointing oil my life has become enjoyable as I no longer face many challenges as was the case before,” she said.