NORTON - In death as in life Sam Mtukudzi remains noticeably a lovable young man. The charm that made him friends still endears him to even many more acquaintances that travelled to Norton to celebrate the launch of his album Cheziya posthumously here today.

Sam himself had set the launch of Cheziya on 1 st April 2010 to coincide with his birthday. But as fate would have it Sam died two weeks prior.

Tuku dedicated the entire launch strictly to business. He invited retailers, exclusively, to share the special moment with the Tuku family and Tuku Music that published and recorded Cheziya.

Tuku chose anti-piracy as the launch theme for Cheziya and told guests: “Retailers, please help musicians. Piracy of our work is killing us and killing you (retailers) too. To the memory of Sam and other artists we must nip piracy in the bud. Let us fight piracy and you are key in this battle.”

^ Sam Mtukudzi’s album Cheziya

Piracy of intellectual property has wrecked havoc in Zimbabwe categorized as one of the worst countries globally for looting of artistic works and software. Weaker legislation is not helping either.

National Arts Council of Zimbabwe deputy director, Nick Moyo, who spoke at the launch, added his voice against anti-piracy: “The legal framework against piracy in Zimbabwe is weak and does not help things. We need firmer laws like in Malawi to fight piracy where criminals will think twice before they steal our property.”

Sam’s tearful mother Daisy struggled to address guests as she broke down repeatedly.

“Today is a happy occasion to the memory of Sam. My son would be happy to see we are here celebrating his artistic work with his friends and the music industry. Sometimes I think I will see Sam walking around again. But my baby is gone,” Daisy said.

^ Tuku and wife Daisy meet guests at the lauch of Cheziya this afternoon.

In their combined message on the sleeve of Cheziya, Tuku and Daisy say: “God Almighty, we will always be grateful for all the gifts you constantly give us. The first being the gift of life itself…being able to wake up each morning, then the blessing of children, the gift whose value we only realize when we lose it.

“My wife and I will treasure Cheziya as a reminder of the wonderful time we shared with our son Sam. Thank you Lord for a gift that will make us get even closer to you. We will forever miss you Sam.”

Tracks on Cheziya are: Kaziwai; Mamureva Wangu; Kutungamidza; Famba Zvakanaka; Ishe; Cheziya; Ndakura wani; Ndinotenda; Pasi rino; Mwana chiedza.

The album was recorded at Studio Pakare Paye, produced by Sam Mtukudzi and Published by Tuku Music.

^ Tuku and wife Daisy with guests at the launch of Sam's Cheziya album this afternoon.

Tonight Tuku and his Black Spirits band are performing at Pakare Paye Arts Centre together with the Golden Girls, who backed him 30 years ago at the commemorative show dubbed Wednesday To Remember Sam. Also performing is Sam’s group Ay Band, several friends and Munya Mataruse who grew up with Sam as young boys at the Centre developing their talents.

Sam died in a car crash on Monday 15 March 2010 in Harare, on the Bulawayo Highway, while driving home to Norton. Killed in the same accident was Sam’s childhood friend and band’s sound engineer Owen Chimhare. Both were laid to rest in graves side by side at Warren Hills Cemetery in the capital.

Copies of Cheziya are available from all leading record bars including Spinalong Makro - Chiremba Road; Music Box - Jason Moyo Avenue; Music World – Westgate; Jazz Shop Jazz 105 - Kwame Nkrumah Street; Number 1 Stores - Robert Mugabe Road; Crocodile Rock Angwa City - Angwa Street; The Village Rock – Sam Levy’s Village, Borrowdale; Meikles Stores - Robert Mugabe Road; Greatermans - Jason Moyo Street; Barbours - Jason Moyo Street. Our curio and gift shop at Pakare Paye Arts Centre here has also stocked the album. – Shepherd Mutamba/tukumusik.com