By Shepherd Mutamba
NORTON – To live in the hearts of those who truly love you Sam is to never die!
That was the single most powerful tribute friends, relatives and artists brought here with them today when they joined the Mtukudzi family to remember one of our most promising musicians, son and brother who died tragically in Harare in March.
Tributes poured in from friends, artists and fans all over the world. Commemorative music was played celebrating the short but life well lived.
But perhaps what touched the hearts of many of those attending was not entirely the glowing tributes. The fine words and soothing music have been said and heard before and will continue.
A life-size portrait of a young Sam, clasping at his saxophone and looking straight at the people smiling, as if he would talk to us ‘reincarnated’ Sam in every sense. So powerful an image and too real it defies death and drove many to tears.
Legendary musician Aunty Dot aka Dorothy Masuka jetted in from South Africa to be with the Mtukudzi family during the memorial service.
Tribute after tribute remembered Sam as a fine humble young smart man who died tragically on the outskirts of Harare while travelling home to Norton. Yet Sam did not die. He passed on. His spirit lives on today. We know he continues making many more new friends. We know he is dancing with the angels. Extraordinary legacy lives forever.
Tuku, Sam’s dad, said he did not want to grieve over the departure of his boy. Rather Tuku wanted to “shine” and be grateful for being blessed with a son like Sam, sentiments echoed by Daisy, Sam’s mother, in her own tribute.
“What Sam accomplished in 11 years – learning to play a diversity of musical instruments (marimba, drums, sax and guitar), writing music, touring the world and forming his own band – I never achieved that in 20 long years,” Tuku said.
Artists performed very much eclectic but uplifting tributes to Sam, blasting away at high voltage some powerful music as if it was a day for another gig. Tuku joined them on stage so did Owen’s parents.
Sam died in the same accident with his childhood friend Owen Chimhare who was a sound engineer in Sam’s Ay Band. Both were laid to rest in graves side by side at Warren Hills in Harare on Wednesday 17 Mach 2010.
Owen’s memorial has been rescheduled to Saturday May 15 2010 at the family residence in Warren Park, Harare starting at 10am.

We remember you always, Sam. – tukumusik.com

Sam (far left) and Owen (second from right) with friends.