Outspoken former Higher & Tertiary Education minister in Robert Mugabe’s government, Jonathan Moyo, has been criticised for having actively blocked efforts, while he was a minister, to recognise Oliver Mtukudzi’s contribution.
Social media users have recalled some May 2017 tweets which Jonathan Moyo posted referring to Oliver Mtukudzi’s music influence as too thin to deserve a University of Zimbabwe honourary degree.
Back then, a Twitter user, Glen Sungano Mpani had suggested that Mtukudzi deserved an honourary degree from the University of Zimbabwe for his contribution to Zimbabwe.
Jonathan Moyo replied then:
You reckon that an Honorary Degree is the highest honour in music performance equivalent to say a Music Hall or Walk of Fame or a Grammy? https://t.co/73sXZTR0OG
— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) May 11, 2017
When Mpani insisted that Mtukudzi deserved one, Moyo then responded that Mtukudzi’s influence as a music producer was thin:
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I don't think so. Among other considerations, an Honorary Degree would have to test Tuku's influence as a music producer, which is thin! https://t.co/8Pgllo3dll
— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) May 11, 2017
Oliver Mtukudzi died last week on 23 January 2019. He has been mourned widely by musicians, politicians, country presidents and Africans across the world. Moyo too has mourned the passing of Mtukudzi referring to him as “An indisputable national hero, African icon and global star!”
Jonathan Moyo has said that he holds on to his opinion of Oliver Mtukudzi, tweeting today:
Yes that was my opinion as a musician & I still hold that opinion. Music production, from a training, equipment & quality point of view, remains Zimbabwe’s number one problem. We have great talent but very a very poor production base. Senior musicians have a duty to rectify this!
More: Ali_naka on Twitter
Jonathan Moyo is a Zimbabwean politician and former member of the ZANU-PF party where he was a member of the party's Politiburo. He is also the former minister of Higher and Tertiary Education. Moyo was expelled from Parliament as the (Tsholotsho North) Legislator in November... Read More About Jonathan Moyo
Oliver Mtukudzi, also known as "Tuku" (short for Mtukudzi) was a singer-songwriter, actor, writer, film director and entrepreneur. With over 60 albums to his name, he was one of Zimbabwe's top musicians and lead of the band The Black Spirits. His music was mainly in... Read More About Oliver Mtukudzi
The University of Zimbabwe is the oldest tertiary institution in Zimbabwe that offers degrees, diplomas and certificates in various disciplines such as agriculture and law. Read More About University of Zimbabwe
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