By Shepherd Mutamba

Musicians are paying tribute to Sam Mtukudzi and his childhood friend Owen Chimhare as Tuku resumes performances at the weekend in South Africa after a fortnight break in respect of the passing on of his son.

Sam (22) and Owen (24) died on the spot when their car rammed into the side rails of a bridge just outside Harare on Monday 15th March. They were laid to rest side by side at Warren Hills Cemetery in the capital two days later.

Musicians in Harare have been dedicating shows to the memory of Sam and Owen since last week while others have already teamed up to record music in honour of the two artists.

Tuku pays tribute to his son and Owen at shows he is especially dedicating to the two departed in Johannesburg on Friday 26th March at Blues Room and Pretoria the following night at the West End Theatre, Pretoria Showgrounds before doing the UK at Stratford Rex in London on April 2nd.

Urban groovers Pauline, Nesto, Stunner, Trevor D, Russo, Madiz, Discord, Cindy, Tererai, Roki, Taurai and Squicky have collaborated in the production of Waenda Shamwari that celebrates the work and life of Sam and Owen. Reggae dancehall kingpin Winky D has also recorded his own song in tribute.

Radio stations have rallied giving generous airtime to tributes particularly the pop Power FM (formerly Radio 3) and SFM (formerly Radio 1) many of whose disc jockeys and presenters/producers attended the funeral throughout.

Corporates and organizations have taken up whole newspaper advertisement pages to place condolences to the bereaved families and the music sector at large.

Sam and Owen were friends since their school days. They worked together in the same group, the Ay Band led by Sam. Owen was the group’s sound engineer. Both had recently moved out of their family homes to stay together in Norton and were looking forward to the launch of Sam’s second album, Cheziya, on April 1st – Sam’s birthday.

Artists playing at The Mannenberg, Sam’s regular venue in the capital, have been devoting bigger chunks of their performances to the memory of Sam and Owen while those performing at the adjoining Book Cafe also remembered the departed artists.

Alexio Kawara observed a minute silence and played deeply soul-searching numbers consoling the bereaved families and the fans who loved Sam.

Partners Nesto and Bella played alongside Alexio, Bella imitating Sam’s stage moves in a way that evoked memories of Sam’s dance routines and drove some among the audiences to tears. Bella is a former backing vocalist in Sam’s Ay Band.

Reggae outfit, the original Transit Crew, played mellow roots-rock tributes to Sam and Owen at their Book Café weekend show. The rastas and their audiences also observed a minute silence.

At separate shows between The Mannenberg and Book Café artists Willom Tight, Pablo Nakapa, Kudzai Sevenzo, Rute Mbangwa and Hope Masike also played tributes in memory of Sam and Owen so did Willis Watafi and Larry Kwirirayi, a buddy of Sam’s.

Below are pictures from the tributes at The Mannenberg and the Book Café. – tukumusik.com

Transit Crew's Ras Farai (left) and Elder Zindi observe a minute silence in memory of Sam and Owen at Book Cafe.

	Willom Tight in tribute to Sam and Owen.
Sebede paid tribute to Sam and Owen at his joint show with Willom Tight at Book Cafe.

Hope Masike dedicates a song to the memory of Sam and Owen.	Larry Kwirirayi chants in honour of Sam and Owen at The Mannenberg.

	Kudzai Sevenzo sings for Sam and Owen at The Mannenberg.
Alexio Kawara paying tribute to Sam and Owen at Book Cafe.

Pablo Nakapa - a minute silence in honour of Sam and Owen at The Mannenberg.	Partners Nesto and Bella in tribute to Sam and Owen at Book Cafe.

Willis Watafi remembers Sam and Owen with song at The Mannenberg.

Rute Mbangwa rocked away in memory of Sam and Owen at The Mannenberg.

Tuku's acquaintances (left) poet Chirikure Chirikure & (right) media personality Ray Mawerera & Shepherd Mutamba (centre) publicist Tuku Music and Pakare Paye Arts Centre at the tribute shows at Book Cafe.