Harare-Music icon Oliver Mtukudzi who passed on Wednesday has been declared a National Hero.

This was revealed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa when he paid homage to the Mtukudzi residents in Norton.

“Minister Kirsty Coventry came to me yesterday and asked if what she was about to say was proper and I told there was nothing scared in discussing issues  and I even got a call from the President of Botswana who asked if it was true that our hero had died and I confirmed that it was true.

“When people from outside our country say this what about his people and we sat down as a party and before I concluded everyone was saying yes, yes and we normally take time to reach a consensus on such issues, so Amai we have declared Mtukudzi a National hero” said President Mnangagwa

Funeral arrangements will be advised in due course as it is the prerogative of the family after consultations.

Oliver Mtukudzi becomes the first musician to be declared a national hero. The decision comes at a time when everyone had been clamouring for a national hero status.

Norton legislator Temba Mliswa and the National Arts Gallery revealed that they had written to the Government seeking a Hero’s status for the late music legend

Legendary musician Thomas Mapfumo remarked that Tuku deserved to be buried among the heroes of the country.

The news that he had been declared a national hero was received with ululation among the mourners with many saying he deserved the hero’s status.