Zimbabwean musical giant Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi has been acknowledged for his enduring commitment to ending AIDS through his music.
CROI (Conference On Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections), which happened in Seattle, Washington, USA, on Monday, 19 February, awarded Mtukudzi with a special award for his inspirational contribution. Dr Oliver Mtukudzi, whose music has served as the backdrop for over 25 AIDS documentaries across the world, thanked CROI and dedicated the award to all the unsung heroes in Zimbabwe (Nurses, Doctors and AIDS Researchers, AIDS organizations and others) who have, and are still working in the fight to help end the pandemic.
Here’s Dr Oliver Mtukudzi’s acceptance speech:
“The CROI program committee, esteemed scientists gathered here, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so much for this very important award. I am grateful because this means that my work and efforts to respond to the AIDS pandemic are recognized and appreciated at such an esteemed gathering. I was asked to make some comments on the role of art in my remarks today.
Well, from my point of view, the role of art is the same as the role of the artist; which is to highlight the human condition and the issues that affect society.
Art is a powerful communication tool which allows people to positively engage in dialogue.
In this way art speaks to people’s conscience which influences their attitudes and behaviour while giving life and hope to their aspirations.
My music calling has allowed me to touch a vast number of people in many different ways. I focus on social messages whose themes include respect, restraint, tolerance, self-discipline, and peace throughout the world. As an artist the lack of knowledge and awareness of AIDS and associated stigma grabbed my mind and I felt that we could make a difference by addressing this through my music.
This award is a symbol that the purpose of my art is being realized. I admit that a lot of ground has been covered in Zimbabwe and globally in the fight against AIDS but we still need to make a lot of effort before it is eradicated.
Back home in Zimbabwe, I have contributed to the construction of Murongwe Primary School and Clinic in Murongwe Dande a remote rural area in Mashonaland Central. Murongwe Primary School provides education to some HIV/ AIDS Orphaned children who once had to walk up to 20 km just to get an education. Murongwe Clinic offers among other services, Voluntary HIV/ AIDS Testing and Counselling and Male circumcision services. In the near future it will soon offer Anti-Retroviral Drugs to the community. The new clinic now offers health services to people living within a radius of 10 square kilometers. Before its construction people had to walk up to 20 km to reach a health facility.
We must therefore continue reminding our people and spreading the message that HIV is still a major threat to our society. We need to keep emphasizing that anyone can be infected if they do not take necessary precautions.
Once again let me thank you for this most prestigious award which I will forever cherish. I would like to dedicate this award to ALL those unsung heroes in Zimbabwe (Nurses, Doctors, AIDS Researchers and AIDS Organizations) who have fought and are still fighting to help eradicate the AIDS pandemic. Thank you!”
Take a peek of Mtukudzi playing Neria, the title track of 1993 movie:
Notes: Mtukudzi began performing in 1977 when he joined Wagon Wheels, which also featured Thomas Mapfumo. Their single Dzandimomotera went gold and Tuku’s first album followed – which was also a major success. Mtukudzi also contributed to Southern African act Mahube.
Who: Dr Oliver Mtukudzi
What: CROI Award, 2017
Label: http://gallo.co.za/
WS
