(Last Updated on September 25, 2012 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Daisy Mtukudzi has quashed rumours of her husband Oliver Mtukudzi’s ill health, saying the superstar was fit as a fiddle.
The usually media-shy Daisy broke her silence at a private dinner held in honour of the singer’s 60th birthday in Norton at the weekend telling invited guests that she has always known Mtukudzi as slim with a charcoal black complexion.
“Mufunge zvenyu vanhu vekwaMtukudzi hapana akafuta kusara kwavatete vangu avo vamwe vese ndozvavakaiita saka handizivi kuti zvinotaurwa zvinobva kupi?
“The only time Tuku gained weight was when we got married. He has been slim and dark and ndinomuda zvakadaro,” she said to wild applause from the guests.
Self-styled Prophet
There have been “diagnoses” by a self-styled prophet, Ishamel Mangwanya, that Mtukudzi was in a “critical condition” and went to call for an interdenominational congregation to pray for the “ailing” superstar.
“Maybe the time for false prophets has come”, Tuku was quoted as saying, adding: “Who knows when I am sick. . . Is it the prophet or me? Maybe he was referring to another Mtukudzi and not me.” Daisy said she was happy Tuku was a God-fearing husband.
“He is a loving and caring husband who fears God and he always prays. He is a blessing and I am happy he is a member of the MUMC (Mubvuwi weUnited Methodist Church),” she said.
Diabetic
Tuku’s health has been the subject of speculation in recent years although the “Meso Piriviri” hitmaker is known to be diabetic and has openly spoken about it.
According to Daisy, Tuku loves to eat traditional food such sadza rezviyo due to his diabetic condition.
In what turned out to be a family affair, Tuku also spoke highly of his wife saying she was his pillar of strength.
“Behind every successful man is a woman and I am grateful to have such a wife (Daisy) who takes care of me. Vazhinji vanofunga kuti Tuku akapenga vasingazive kuti pane munhu anotondifungirawo,” he said with a chuckle.
Tuku celebrated his 60th birthday in style, with proceedings starting with a mega-party held at the Glamis Arena where he was joined on stage by his South African friends Dorothy Masuka, Ringo Madlingozi and Steve Dyer.
Locally, the gig had plenty on offer what with guest appearances by ExQ, Willom Tight, Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave, Jah Prayzah, Suluman and Tryson Chimbetu among others.