Tuku has revealed his other side his fans knew very little about. He’s crazy about football. Not watching it - but kicking it.

He is a philanthropist too who has devoted much of his private life to humanitarian and community work for social change.

Tuku warming up before the soccer match at Gwanzura Stadium.		Tuku has a chat with teammates before the soccer match.

Age is only a number. Turning 58 now and in the name of charity Tuku finds it easy jumping into his football shorts and racing the ball for a good 45 minutes - running even faster than men half his age and dribbling too - showing off some fine footwork and flair that defines football wizardry. He would probably attract the English premiership. Ha, ha, ha, ha…!

Tuku captained the musicians’ soccer side that played against football legends, from the 1980s era, at a charity match at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare at the weekend. The match raised funds for Aids support and also to assist musicians who have fallen on hard times.

It is not every day that the crème de la crème of Zimbabwean music assembles - and voluntarily so - for charity work, more so football. And when they did on Saturday the fans came out to support them raise cash for social benefit. Some 2 000 plus fans braved the stormy weather to watch the match.

Tuku has always supported charity but most of that time away from the media spotlight including recording an HIV and Aids awareness album with children from the marginal communities in Binga, in Zimbabwe’s northern regions. The children were orphaned after their parents died from Aids related diseases.

His outstanding humanitarian work and many other of his community work was acknowledged in November last year by the United States based Project Concern International who awarded him the 2009 Cultural Ambassador Award for dedicating his life and making an extraordinary difference in the fight for social change. Bonnie Raitt, nine-time Grammy award winner and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame presented Tuku with the award in San Diego.

Tuku is diabetic. He has indicated his wish this year to extend his charity work by helping raise awareness on diabetes, one of the world’s biggest killers but less discussed in Zimbabwe’s own public health.

Those who made the musicians' soccer lineup include Alick Macheso, Tongai Moyo, Nicholas Zacharia, Victor Kunonga, Charles Charamba, Dino Mudondo, Progress Chipfumo, Allan Chimbetu, Trymore Chimbetu, Sulumane Chimbetu, Sam Mtukudzi, Hosea Chipanga, Soma Ndebele and First Farai including music promoters Patson Chipaz Chimboza, Josh Hozheri and Mai Red Rose. Cephas Mashakada was the team manager and Sandra Ndebele the medic. The event is a brainchild of Chipaz.

Of course, most of the musicians clearly struggled with the basics in ball control. Others just could not keep pace with everything. Some suffered endless cramps they collapsed one by one on the muddy turf groaning in pain and exhaustion like babies. It was fun. A good number did not see the ball whatsoever as it zoomed and whizzed past them. Football is not as easy and neither is the ball as round as it looks. But aaagh, it was a charity-match after all - no big deal about those failings on the pitch. Another day maybe. The musicians were hammered a convincing 7 – 3 on the score sheet.

The football legends side brought together household names of the game from the 1980s such as David Mandigora, Charlie Johns, Laban Kandi, Stix Mtizwa, Batsirai Jambwa, Charles Sibanda, ‘Mai Maria’ Kadengu and Maronga Nyangela.

All the same it was a fun filled afternoon that was preceded by a luncheon for the musicians earlier in the week at Pakare Paye Arts Center in Norton. The center is a brainchild of Tuku where he develops young talent in various art forms as community service. – tukumusik.com