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Editor – The National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe (NCDPZ), a cross-disability rights organisation of persons with disabilities, joins the Mtukudzi family and the entire nation in mourning the passing away of our music legend and philanthropist.

Tuku became a friend of NCDPZ in 1981, as we commemorated the United Nations declared International Year of Persons Living with Disabilities.

In the same year (1981), the NCDPZ organised a Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied (PHAB) Festival at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare.

We approached Dr Mtukudzi to perform at the PHAB Festival and he gladly accepted and staged a memorable show, to a capacity crowd.

Tuku paid for his and band members’ travel and accommodation in Mutare and did not ask for any percentage in gate-takings. A substantial amount of money was raised at this festival, and this enabled NCDPZ to open its administration offices in Mutare.

Some of the raised funds were channelled towards income-generating projects.

His continued interest in NCDPZ and disability rights issues were evident up to the time of his passing away.

Each time we met with him, he was keen to know how our programmes are making a difference in the lives of ordinary persons living with disabilities.

The best way to honour Dr Oliver Mtukudzi is for our communities, local and central government to design programmes that are accessible to persons living with disabilities.

Tuku’s life displayed humility, generosity and kindness to all people including persons living with disabilities.

We are thankful to Tuku for his music, and we will through it remain connected to him.

As the English expression goes “the good is oft interred with their bones”. But Tuku will never die, his good works live on.

Thank you Tuku, Samanyanga . . . the struggle continues!

Dr. Obadiah Thembani Moyo, president of the NCDPZ