By Shepherd Mutamba
They went to school together and lived together after. They were friends and worked in the same group - one as the singer of the band and the other as the sound engineer. Both were artists with crazy love for music.

When the horrific crash occurred, in the early hours of Monday 15th March 2010, both died on the spot in the same car. Now, even in death the two young friends gone together and just too soon refuse to be separated. They will rest side by side never to part. Some friendship made in heaven!

Sam Mtukudzi (22) and Owen Chimhare (24) will be interred in graves side by side tomorrow at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare at 2pm.

But today a church service will be held for both at Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour in the city at 2pm after which the bodies will lie in state at their respective family homes.

Tomorrow Sam’s body will be taken to Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton for body viewing and a church service at 11:15am. Sam grew up at the arts academy founded by his father in 2003 and had been appointed just recently as a board member at the center. He literally lived at the center with his Ay Band rehearsing and coordinating work for his board’s operations sub-committee.

Sam and Owen perished after their car veered off the road on the Harare-Bulawayo highway on Monday morning, near Kuwadzana Extention in Harare, killing both of them on the spot. They were traveling home to Norton 45 kilometres outside the capital.

Oliver Mtukudzi, who was in South Africa with his wife Daisy when the accident occurred, arrived towards midday yesterday. Both broke down during the entire process of viewing the bodies of the two young friends.

Tearful and visibly shaken Mtukudzi touched the still body of his son and could only say a few words: “I worked with you, I played with you, I loved you - now why do you leave me? Life is unfair…life does not belong to us”.

Mtukudzi said he and his family had reached the decision not to inter Sam at their rural home in Madziwa, in Zimbabwe’s northern Mt Darwin districts, so his son could rest next to his friend.

Meanwhile USA based Thomas Mapfumo has called and spoken with Mtukudzi conveying his condolences. Among others who have called are Ringo Madlingozi, Judith Sephuma and Mzwake Mbuli. Alick Macheso and his wife stayed over night consoling the Mtukudzi family. Many artists, corporate and business chiefs are currently visiting the Mtukudzi residence.

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, the board of the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association, Pamberi Trust and Trade Finance Consulting have sent official condolences to the Mtukudzi family.

The chairperson of Pakare Paye Arts Centre, Nicodimus Manyame, has issued a statement on behalf of the board.

“The death of Sam and Owen is shocking to their families, the center and Ay Band. Sam has left a deep void in the board. We will miss Sam’s creative contributions and charm,” said Manyame.

Cheziya, Sam’s second album was set to be launched on April 1 to coincide with what would have been his 22nd birthday.

Below are some of the latest pictures. – tukumusik.com

Relatives restrain Daisy Mtukudzi after she broke down while viewing the body of her son.

Daisy Mtukudzi viewing the body of her son Sam. Far right, is grief stricken Oliver Mtukudzi.

Daisy Mtukudzi touches the body of her son Sam.

Daisy Mtukudzi viewing the body of Owen Chimhare in Harare.

Sam baby...its too soon! Sam Mtukudzi with his mom Daisy and dad Oliver at Mtukudzi snr's conferrement of an honorary Msc Fine Arts degree by the Women's University in Africa in 2009.