Tuku ranked one of Africa’s top celebrities

HARARE – Barely six months after being crowned Unicef Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa, music superstar, Oliver Mtukudzi has done it again.

Tuku, as he is commonly referred to in the music circles has been added to the Forbes Magazine 40 Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa.

Mtukudzi has a lifetime of achievements which include Kora awards, Nama, honorary degrees from the University of Zimbabwe and Women’s University in Africa in 2009, Sama Awards and others.

Speaking through his publicist, Shepherd Mutamba, Tuku said he felt honoured.

“It is a humbling experience I never expected to get. Hunhu hwangu nebasa ndizvo zvinondisimudzira.

“My music is getting through to the people and the positive influence is conveyed through the music.

“I know I am an African artist but to be ranked 12th out of 40 is entirely humbling and a total surprise,” he said.

“I dedicate the Forbes status to God, my fans, my wife Daisy and the family. I am proud to have been born in the Mtukudzi family,” said a modest Mtukudzi, easily the country’s best musician.

The list is topped by Chinua Achebe, the 80-year-old novelist from Nigeria.

Cote d’ Voire soccer star Didier Drogba is in third place with Senegalese born Akon at number five. South African Songbird Yvonne Chaka Chaka follows in eighth place.

Top 20 of the most powerful African celebrities.
1. Chinua Achebe, 80, Novelist (Nigeria)
2. Youssou N’dour, 51, Musician (Senegal)
3. Didier Drogba, 33, Footballer (Cote D’Voire)
4. Angelique Kidjoe, 51, Musician (Benin Republic)
5. Akon, 38, Musician (Senegal)
6. Wole Soyinka, 77, Playwright (Nigeria)
7. Salif Keita, 62, Musician (Mali)
8. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, 46, (South African)
9. Oumou Sang, 43, Musician (Mali)
10. Femi Kuti, 49, Musician (Nigerian)
11. Toumani Diabaté, Malian, Musician
12. Oliver Mtukudzi, 59, Zimbabwean, Musician
13. Haile Gebrselassie, 38, Ethiopian, Athlete
14. Khaled Hadj Ibrahim, 51, Algerian, Musician
15. Samuel Eto’o, 30, Cameroonian, Soccer Player
16. Alek Wek, 34, Sudanese, Supermodel
17. Liya Kebede, 33, Ethiopian, Supermodel
18. Dobet Gnahoré, 29, Ivorian, Musician
19. Genevieve Nnaji, 32, Nigerian, Actress
20. Koffi Olomidé, 55, Congolese, Musician