Emison Haripindi

Long before the CCC led by Nelson Chamisa was formed, CCC meant something else — Cash, Car, Cellular.

Yes, at the turn of the millennium, owning those three Cs meant one was a Mbinga, a company executive or a top government official. It meant power, affluence and status.

Now the trend has changed, and the three Cs have a different meaning — Cars, Cash, Chivayo.

If you happen to have been fortunate enough to have charmed him, Wicknell Chivayo can change your life in a fraction of a second.

It is either your turn to go and see Victor, Madzibaba Chipaga or Faramatsi.

Of the gifts Chivayo has given out, one stood out because it was meant to unite a deeply divided family.

The family left behind by superstar musician and national hero Oliver Mtukudzi.

On one side were Selmor and her sibling Sandra, and on the other was Daisy, Oliver’s widow.

These two camps could not do things together despite being family.

It all changed courtesy of Chivayo, who gifted Selmor a brand-new GD6 and US$20,000 in cash.

Chivayo set a condition — Selmor was to be accompanied by Daisy on the day of collection.

True to Chivayo, or Mukuru WeMazuva as he is now popularly known, and his “haana defeat” philosophy — that he cannot be defeated — the two came together.

They hugged. Daisy, being the mother, handed Selmor her gift money, saying a few words of blessing to her daughter.

Selmor, clapping her hands, knelt down, typical of a well-cultured African daughter receiving a gift.

Chivayo had done his part in uniting the family, which was the late Tuku’s wish, according to his daughter Selmor.

Though some people questioned whether the smiles and gestures were genuine, it was breathtaking to see the family in such a happy mood.

Chivayo took the initiative to make the family realise that they needed each other and could do much more, even as they honour their late father, Mtukudzi.

This is a family that had traded insults and washed its dirty linen in public for all to see.

After Tuku’s death, there were counter-accusations as the family was told that everything he left behind was for Daisy.

Then, in September 2024, there was drama as Selmor was left out of the inaugural Oliver Mtukudzi International Festival of the Arts (OMIFA) at Pakare Paye Arts Centre, a centre Oliver had established to groom upcoming artists and turn it into an arts hub.

It took the intervention of fans, who voiced their concerns about why Selmor had been left out.

Besides, Selmor and Sandra are doing well in reviving their father’s musical legacy.

Though she was eventually included, Selmor did not last the distance. A few minutes into the song Changu Chii — a song from her father’s catalogue — emotions got the better of her.

She said on the microphone:

“I have wanted to be on this stage for so many years while being barred. If it wasn’t for you fighting for me, I wouldn’t have made it here. Till when will you fight for me? I wonder if the dead can hear.

“It’s hard to live knowing you’re being treated as an outcast in your father’s house.”

She broke down, dropped the microphone and could not perform. She got off the stage, and that was that.

The same month, the two sisters poured their hearts out on the Ollah 7 Podcast. They told the nation about their upbringing and their tiff with Daisy. They cited favouritism between them and Daisy’s biological children.

“Our father’s situation was difficult because of Mama (Daisy), who didn’t want us to be close to him.

“Before our father died, he sat down with all his daughters, including Samantha, and advised us to unite.”

But it was a different story after Chivayo’s intervention.

“Thank you for uniting us with Mom (Daisy), something that many people failed to do for years. This was my late father Oliver Mtukudzi’s wish,” said Selmor as she thanked Chivayo.

Chivayo himself wrote on his Facebook page that time is too short to hate one another.

“Life is too short to hate one another and hold generational grudges.”

With this statement, one is compelled to think about whether he will do the same for Chimurenga guru Thomas Mapfumo and his son, Kurai Makore.

Mukanya was making headlines after prohibiting Kurai from using his music, labelling him lazy and arrogant.

This did not sit well with fans, as they suggested that Kurai was actually putting Chimurenga music on the map by connecting it with the youth.

Fans also suggested that there are issues that do not need management to intervene in, as families must be left with room to find their way back to each other.

Maybe another family that may need such intervention from Chivayo is the Somanje family.

The two Somanje brothers, Josphat and the late Daiton, had a bitter relationship, with the elder brother declaring that he would “never set foot at Josphat’s funeral”.

Josphat said they would not work together.

“We will never work together permanently. We have tried it many times and failed,” declared Josphat.

It seems the family never fully reconciled, as Faheem, Daiton’s son, now leads Pengaudzoke, while Uncle Josphat has his Somanje Stars.

The Somanjes hail from Marondera, the hometown of Chivayo’s wife, Madzimai Lulu.

He had done it with Mambo Dhuterere and his wife, and now Selmor and Daisy. We wait to see who comes next.