HARARE – In a fiery retort to mounting concerns over her well-being, Urban Grooves musician Tererai Mugwadi has dismissed claims of “drugs addiction” and substance abuse, telling her detractors to “go to hell” and allow her to grapple with her personal demons. This comes after a recent video of her performance at the Shoko Festival ignited a storm of speculation about her mental health, with some calling for her to seek professional help and even enter a rehabilitation facility.
The “Tinodanana” hit-maker has been a trending topic on social media since footage of her Shoko Festival performance went viral. Some viewers described her stage presence as “lifeless,” while others labelled it “boring.” This ongoing debate has led many to believe that she requires rehabilitation for alcoholism, a suggestion she has vehemently rejected with characteristic defiance.
In an exclusive interview with H-Metro, Tererai lashed out at those she perceives as meddling in her life. “Genuinely concerned people should call me or come into my inbox and ask what is really going on with me, if there is anything,” she stated, her voice laced with frustration. “I have come across several comments on social media from people making suggestions about my life. Most of these people are making these suggestions for personal clout but I am in the right space, trying my best to be a better person. I am currently at work, where I spend most of my time, and I don’t know where these suggestions are coming from. For now, they must leave me alone to handle my personal life.”
Tererai also pledged to remain strong amidst the social media onslaught, though her words hinted at a deeper struggle. “I am grateful that I have a very supportive community behind me at a time I am going through all this,” she said, a touch of vulnerability creeping into her tone. However, she quickly reverted to her defiant stance, asserting that there are others more deserving of assistance. “If you move around, there are people who dearly need rehabilitation more than I do because I am in the right space and trying to be a better person. The same people who are making noise and these suggestions are not psychologists, by the way. Whether I have a problem with alcoholism or not is up to the psychologist to determine, not these people who want to seek relevance with others.”
Addressing the incident that sparked the controversy, Tererai argued that she has always been a target for negativity. “In showbiz, there are good and bad days on stage,” she said, her voice tinged with weariness. “This has been a trend to see me portrayed in a bad light. The same people have my contacts, why can’t they ask me and hear my side of the story?”
Despite the turmoil, the immensely talented vocalist and performer vowed not to abandon her musical ambitions. “I am always doing a lot of music and one of the singles we did was called ‘Muchibage,’ featuring Maskiri. I have always loved music but at the moment, work is keeping me busy. I work somewhere in the CBD where I spend most of my time.”
She insisted that the social media vitriol would not dictate her life. She urged those seeking information about her to engage with her directly rather than spreading rumours and assumptions.
While some have expressed concern and offered support, such as blogger and talent scout Plot Mhako, who called for compassion and shared a history of Tererai’s struggles, and South Africa-based singer Nox Guni, who urged the nation to show her love, Tererai’s message is clear: she wants to be left alone to confront her challenges on her own terms. Desmond “Stunner” Stunner’s suggestion that she seek help at Matrix Rehabilitation Centre was met with silence, a clear indication of her resistance to outside intervention.
Tererai Mugwadi’s defiant stance highlights the intense pressures faced by artists in the public eye, and the delicate balance between genuine concern and intrusive scrutiny. Whether her approach is a sign of strength or a cry for help remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Tererai Mugwadi is not backing down.
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