Zimbabwe musician Oliver 'Tuku' Mutukudzi in London for Hoza Festival

With a career spanning 35 years and 60 albums, “Tuku”, as Mtukudzi is affectionately known in his native Zimbabwe, will perform at the IndigO2 centre for the first time on Friday August 17, 2012.

The Show’s promoters, Base Africa, say the gig dubbed Hoza 2012 - A Tribute to the King of Music is a befitting honour to Mtukudzi, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and recipient of several awards, in recognition of his services to music and charity.
In June 2011, Oliver was unveiled as UNICEF Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa

Glorrianne Francis, director of Base Africa said: “We are delighted to honour Tuku here in London, before the eyes of the world, just as the London Olympics will be coming to a close.”

Tuku’s music advocates human rights and shines a light on issues affecting children and women. It is in this spirit that Mtukudzi is billed to share the stage at his O2 debut with three leading female musicians of Zimbabwean heritage, in the form of Shingai Shonhiwa of the Pop group Noisettes, and Afro-Jazz songstresses, Busi Ncube and Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana.

Shingai said: “As a London girl raised in the UK by Zimbabwean parents, I grew up listening to a lot of Tuku music and watching his evocative acting performance in the women’s rights movie Neria. I am honoured and humbled to be afforded the opportunity to stand next to the great music giant. That alone to me, is a dream come true.”

Base Africa plan to hold the HOZA music series as an annual event to profile and showcase the music and culture of Southern Africa. The gigs will also be fundraising platforms with proceeds of the show going this year to the charities Vimba Trust and Ponayi.

Tuku turns 60 on Saturday 22nd September. A celebration party is planned at Glamis Arena at the Harare Exhibition Centre, Zimbabwe for the night of Friday 21st.
Guest artist for the birthday party will include Eric Wainaina, Shingi Shoniwa amongst a host of others to be confirmed.