“Sam Was Truly A Superstar In The Making” 13 Years Later, Sam Mtukudzi Remembered
ON March 15 2010, Zimbabwe lost Sam Mtukudzi in a road accident in Harare.
He died alongside his sound engineer and confidante, Owen Chimhare.
He was just 21.
The wound is still fresh as the promising crooner was still weaving his way to the top.
He emerged under the tutelage of his late father and national hero, Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi.
Over the years, his family would throw a tribute show for the crooner to celebrate his life.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic stalled the programme. With the pandemic now under some sort of control, a tribute show for Sam would be ideal as a way of remembering him.
However, his family is yet to reveal the plans to honour their son. His mother, Daisy Mtukudzi who also lost Tuku in 2019, still feels confused without these two men in her life.
“Zvakangooma hazvo. It’s hard to take,” said Daisy in an interview with H-Metro.
She didn’t reveal how they will remember Sam as she preferred to be accorded their privacy.
Selmor Mtukudzi who was very close to her brother, tweeted:
“He was only 21 years old when he passed away 13 years ago today. Mamwe maronda haapore zvachose. #ripSam”.
Family friend and music promoter, Josh Hozheri
“Sam Mtukudzi was a very talented musician that I worked with from the time he was part of the Prince Edward School Jazz band performing at the Winter Jazz Festival at Jazz 105.
“After school, when he started his own project, I was quite involved and he was truly a superstar in the making. He was talented, humble and a very dedicated artist. Our last project, ‘Nzou neMhuru Mudanga’ together with his father, still lives with me. We lost a bullet, a super bullet and may his soul continue resting in peace.”
Ace music promoter, Partson “Chipaz”
“We lost a talented young man who by now would have been one of the best Zimbabwean artists both locally and internationally.
“All we can say is Mwari vakaita kuda kwavo chironda chisingapore.”
Dendera music heir, Suluman Chimbetu
“The guy was saturated with rich talent and his passing wasn’t just a loss to his family alone but to the whole nation at large.
“He was a versatile artist who could fit in every corner of art,” he said.
Revered music producer Clive “Mono” Mukundu.
“He was very talented and the humblest young man. He also made a deliberate effort not to sound like his father, which is very commendable.”
Netherlands-based diva, Vimbai Zimuto
“Sam was super talented, humble, selfless and awesome. He played most of the instruments on all his albums, drums, percussion, guitars and on vocals he was one big powerhouse.
“He was like a little brother to me and even when we recorded my two songs together, Ndawana Mukana and Unoendepi, at Monolio Studios, he came even when his voice was a little bit off with a flu bug. I miss him. May he continue to rest in power.”
Music promoter and Norton resident, Boss Spencer Madziya
“Sam Mtukudzi was one of the best voices who would have replaced the legend, his father Oliver.
“I saw him practice and perform as we lived in the same town and he made Pakare Paye lit, with his electric and hypnotising performances.
“God took his angel to sing with the heaven’s choir and, with his father.
“Heaven is surely rocking to what was Zimbabwe’s best emerging talent and legend. I miss this young man.”
Agga Nyabinde (Artist)
“Sam Mtukudzi was an exceptionally talented and hardworking man.
“Coming from a family with such a huge music legacy, he believed in working for himself.
“His creativity had an absolute maturity that a lot of artists are even struggling to match now.
“To come to think that he died at the age of 21 is unbelievable, his achievements and the impact he made on the music scene will never be erased.”
Reggae crooner Emmanuel “Mannex” Motsi
“Sam was an incredible artist who could play almost any instrument. He was gifted and yet humble and a joy to be around. We had set and we were supposed to do a track together but, unfortunately, the Almighty had other plans.
“Sam was a great loss to Zimbabwe and the world and by now we would have had lots of incredible musical creations.
“May he rest in power.”
2 Kings Entertainment co-director, Dee Nosh
“It’s a loss to the music industry, we will always remember him for his works and love for music.”
Family friend and fellow musician, Tatenda Mahachi
“Sam was the heir to the throne of Tuku’s empire and had so much in him. He had already inherited his father’s prowess and because he was Tuku’s only son, the father gave him his all.
“It’s really sad that we were robbed of such talent.”
