The Price of Fame: Tererai Mugwadi Pushes Back Against Rehab Calls After Viral Performance
Written By: Oudney Patsika, the Chief Editor at Sona Headlines & Marketing Officer at Sona Solar Zimbabwe
The spotlight can be a cruel place. Urban Grooves icon Tererai Mugwadi has found herself at the centre of a social media storm following a viral video of her performance, which prompted widespread public speculation and fervent calls for her to seek rehabilitation. While many people's concern is genuine, the "Tinodanana" hit-maker has responded with understandable defiance, telling critics to "leave me alone" as she navigates her personal life, firmly denying she has a substance abuse problem. This is a painful moment that requires more empathy and understanding than judgment.
The Performance That Sparked the Storm
The controversy began after footage of Tererai's performance at the Shoko Festival's ‘Mash Up Night’ went viral. The event, a tribute to legendary producer Take Fizzo, was meant to be a celebration of Urban Grooves pioneers. However, many viewers described her stage presence as "lifeless" and "boring," sparking widespread concern and speculation about her well-being and supposed substance abuse issues.
Tererai Hits Back: "Leave Me Alone"
In an exclusive interview with H-Metro, Tererai Mugwadi pushed back forcefully against the public diagnosis. "Genuinely concerned people should call me or come into my inbox and ask what is really going on," she said, dismissing the public commentators. "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."
She insisted that the calls for rehab were unfounded. "If you move around, there are people who dearly need rehabilitation more than I do... The same people who are making noise and these suggestions are not psychologists, by the way."
Tererai stated that she is focused on her professional life and will not be derailed by social media trolls. "I am currently at work, where I spend most of my time, and I don’t know where these suggestions are coming from," she asserted. Musically, she vowed not to throw in the towel, mentioning her recent single "Muchibage" with Maskiri and promising more music to come. She insists that people should engage with her directly rather than making assumptions.
Fellow Artists Weigh In
The viral video prompted a number of industry figures to speak out. Blogger and talent scout Plot Mhako shared a history of Tererai's challenges and called for compassion over ridicule. South Africa-based singer Nox Guni urged the nation to show her love, while rapper Desmond "Stunner" Chideme went further, suggesting that she needed to check in at the Matrix Rehabilitation Centre—the very suggestion Tererai has now firmly dismissed.
The Human Being Behind the Viral Clip
The situation facing Tererai Mugwadi is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly the public space can turn on an artist. As a true pioneer of the Urban Grooves genre, she carries the weight of a powerful legacy, and every public moment is unfairly measured against her youthful peak. The truth is, life is complex, and a single underwhelming performance—a "bad day on stage," as she put it—is immediately weaponised on social media, turning speculation into a cruel, widespread, and often inaccurate public diagnosis.
Her defiant plea to be left alone is not arrogance; it is the natural, exhausted defense of a human being fighting for dignity and privacy against an entitled public narrative. Tererai has clearly stated she is working on being a "better person" and is focusing on her professional life, including new music. Her journey is her own, and true compassion requires us to trust her process and respect her space. We must remember that empathy is a greater force than judgment. At Sona, we stand in respect of her resilience and hope the focus shifts from diagnosis to the music and artistry she has contributed to our culture.
About Tererai Mugwadi
Tererai Mugwadi is a foundational Zimbabwean artist who rose to fame in the 2000s with her hit song "Waenda." She went on to release other beloved hits such as "Sands of Time," "Heya," and "Tinodanana," cementing her place as a queen of the Urban Grooves genre.
Born on January 25 and raised in Mount Hampden, Tererai is an alumnus of Dominican Convent in Harare and holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Limpopo. She has collaborated with some of Zimbabwe's best-known musicians, including Maskiri, Sanii Makhalima, and Alexio Kawara.
The artist has faced public scrutiny before. In January 2018, she was found guilty of culpable homicide following a car accident. In February of the same year, she was the subject of a leaked private video. These past challenges have often been part of the public conversation surrounding her career.
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