Bernard Mutambudzi.

Chief Bushu has applauded Government for bestowing National hero status on the late music icon, Dr Oliver Mtukudzi saying the province will remain behind the visionary leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Speaking to Harare Post at the burial of Mtukudzi yesterday, Chief Bushu said the traditional leadership of Mashonaland Central was excited by Government’s gesture.

“Government has honoured us and we will continue rallying behind Government programs as per our tradition. Our province has continued to vote for the ruling party,” he said.

He said Mtukudzi was a unifier who never delved into mainstream politics but remained a great teacher through his music.

Tens of thousands of mourners from across the country and beyond the borders thronged the Mtukudzi homestead in Shamva North to bid farewell to the great music icon popularly known as “Tuku” by his multitudes of supporters.

He thanked the Government for continually supporting the Zunde RaMambo program which enables feeding of the vulnerable members in the community.

“Government’s commitment to ensuring an improvement in the national economy and the general livelihoods of the people is really commendable; we will continue rallying behind it,” he said.

Chief Bushu condemned the unlawful events which took place last week, which resulted in the loss of life and destruction of property.

“As custodian of culture, I urge youths to remain focused. The great son we are burying today remained disciplined, what we are witnessing today proves the love he had for all the people,” said Chief Bushu.

He said Tuku built Pakare Paye Arts Centre which nurtured most youths interested in taking up music career.

“Today we are gathered here and the house he built came from his resilience and hard works pays off,” said Chief Bushu.

He urged the youths to refrain from engaging in violence that is organised by those forces that are bent on making sure the country is ungovernable.

He said the unlawful events were in contravention of the Constitution as many people were obstructed from peacefully conducting their daily activities as roads were barricaded and businesses and other national institutions such as schools were forced to close.

Chief Bushu condemned in the strongest terms the barbaric acts of terror. He added that he was pleased to note that Government had instituted corrective measures to guarantee the security of all citizens as enshrined in the Constitution.

The traditional leader commended Government efforts to alleviate the plight of the citizenry through interventions such as the introduction of the new mass public transport system in towns and providing buses to ferry people from across the country to come to Madziva.

He said that the traditional leaders were also aware of the efforts being taken by the Government to alleviate the current dire fuel situation in the country.