Soon after receiving an honorary Masters in Fine Arts from the Women’s University in Africa at the end of October awards keep rolling in for Tuku. He has just returned from San Diego in the United States where he received the 2009 Cultural Ambassador Award from Project Concern International for dedicating his life and making an extraordinary difference in the fight for social change. And who but Bonnie Raitt, nine-time Grammy award winner and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame presented Tuku with the award.

Project Concern International President and CEO George Guimaraes said the likes of Tuku were leaders of social change who were helping turn the tide on poverty and poor health.

Tuku has consistently used compositions rich in a tapestry of social reflections to tackle issues such as health including HIV and Aids. His community work has included projects where he has worked with children, from marginal communities like Binga in northern Zimbabwe, whose parents have died from Aids to produce an album that seeks to raise awareness on the pandemic.

Zimbabwean artists, more so musicians, have for long been accused of incorrigibility and a laissez-faire attitude towards HIV and Aids while the pandemic was wiping out entire musical bands. But Tuku was among the first artists who came out strong making public commitment to support initiatives to combat HIV and Aids.

Tuku’s own sibling, Robert, a musician who played alongside Tuku died of Aids. Whilst artists were still cocooned in self-denial of the debilitating disease Tuku publicly disclosed his brother’s cause of death and implored the nation to fight the HIV and Aids stigma which he believed was the reason for self-denial among the infected and the affected.

His music and short films combine story telling, entertainment and education on social issues. When he sings about polygamy, which is a sub-culture in African society, he advises against the risks of HIV and Aids. When he sings about teenage wayward behaviour and the use of drugs he also advises against the risks of HIV and Aids.  

Project Concern International works globally with many people who have dedicated their lives to social change in an extraordinary way listening to them, hearing their hopes and dreams and providing the tools, the training and the financial resources they need to address poverty and create a healthier future for their communities.

Bonnie Raitt has used Tuku’s music as inspiration for the song One Belief Away on her album Fundamental (1998). Like Tuku, who is known for his strong compositions and social work, Bonnie has too devoted her life to social change and music.

She has collaborated with Tuku on Fundamental and on Silver Lining (2002) and also recorded Hear Me Lord by Tuku and performed it together on the PBS music series, Ustin City Limits. – tukumusik.com