By Showbiz Reporter-The two late Oliver Mtukudzi’s daughters, Sandra and Selmor, have shared a heart-wrenching account of their upbringing under the care of their stepmother, Daisy.
The sisters opened up about their painful experiences in a podcast interview with DJ Ollah 7 on Wednesday, exposing the emotional hardships they endured.
Selmor, unable to contain her emotions, broke down on stage during her performance at the Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton, at a festival commemorating her father.
The “Hangasa” singer expressed her deep disappointment at how the arts hub had been neglected since Tuku’s death.
“It was my first time performing on the Pakare Paye stage after my father’s death,” she said. “I became emotional when we arrived, only to see my father’s office locked. When I appeared on stage, I was touched by the people who showed me love.”
Selmor also dismissed claims that her playlist at the festival was aimed at her stepmother, Daisy. “During my shows, I always start with the song ‘Changu Chiiko’ followed by ‘Seiko’ with a low tempo. We then shift gears as we proceed, which has become the norm at our shows. People who frequent our shows know our playlist better, and that playlist was not targeted at anyone.”
The pain of exclusion also weighed heavily on Selmor, as she revealed the shocking planning errors made by her half-sister Samantha and the OMIFA 2024 organising team.
“I was pained when I realised that I had been omitted from the initial line-up for the festival. I only got an invitation via e-mail on short notice. To my surprise, the organising team had been planning this event since June.”
Despite her long career in the industry, Selmor expressed her willingness to participate in family events without compensation, contradicting claims from the organisers.
“I was also shocked when the festival organisers claimed they had omitted me from the line-up because of a small budget. To my surprise, I have never asked for payment to perform at family events.”
Selmor shared intimate messages and screenshots of conversations with Tuku, where he expressed his hope for family unity and collaboration. However, she revealed, “His situation was difficult because of mama (Daisy), who didn’t want us to be close to him.”
She also pleaded with the public to keep her husband, Tendai Manatsa, out of the family drama. “Tendai should not be included in this issue. He is only a son-in-law and shouldn’t be dragged into this.”
Her older sister, Sandra, painted an even more troubling picture of Daisy’s role in dividing the family. “Before our father died, he sat down with all his daughters, including Samantha, and advised us to unite. He told us to plan family events together. But to my shock, mama (Daisy) seems to have forgotten everything our dad taught us.”
Sandra recalled how Daisy and her daughter Samantha had organised a family event in Madziva before the festival, without including the rest of Tuku’s daughters. “The exclusion is not just about Selmor; it’s about all of Tuku’s daughters and family members.”
Sandra, who is soon to return to the UK, said she is open to reconciliation. “I am open to dialogue and anything that can unite us as a family. Family events should be about harmony and unity. We are open to having a mediator to help bring this family together.”
Sandra recounted how difficult her life became while living with Daisy in Norton, where she often faced financial challenges during her time at a private college. “I was always in arrears. It was only after dad contacted the principal that things began to normalise.”
She went on to recall the favouritism she witnessed during her teenage years. “I remember this incident in Glenwood, Kwekwe, when I was 16. Dad and his new wife were building a house in Norton, the green house. I wasn’t informed about it, even though the other children knew. After the house was finished, dad came to bid us farewell, but I didn’t know the date they were moving out.”
Sandra’s hurt was palpable as she recounted how she discovered their new home only after it was too late. “A few days later, people told me they had seen my father in town. When I went home, it was an empty and sorrowful state. I was hurt—the house was empty, and I didn’t know where they had gone.”
As the family feud between Selmor, Sandra, and Daisy continues to unravel, only time will tell how this tragic family saga will ultimately conclude.