ZIMBABWE was plunged into mourning on Monday following the death of Oliver Mtukudzi’s son and recording artist, Sam.

Fellow musicians Zex Manatsa and Albert Nyathi led the tributes. Nyathi said he was “depressed” when he got the news, and Manatsa led his family to the funeral parlour where the 22-year-old’s body was taken following the 1.20AM crash.

A statement posted on Oliver Mtukudzi’s website (www.tukumusik.com) said Sam was a passenger in a Tata pick-up truck driven by his friend and sound engineer, Owen Chimhare, when the car veered off the road and crashed through the rails of a bridge and rested on the riverbank down below.

Sam and Chimhare, 24, suffered serious head injuries and were trapped in the wreck, eventually dying before paramedics arrived at the scene.

The pair were driving to Norton where they live, said Shepherd Mutamba, the Director of Information for Tuku Music Company.

Mtukudzi and his wife, Daisy, were in South Africa when they received news of their only son’s death.

Grief ... Black Spirits manager Sam Mataure (left) talks with the the Manatsa family outsidfe a
funeral parlour in Harare. Legendary singer Zex Manatsa is on the far right

Senzeni Na? Star Albert Nyathi told New Zimbabwe.com: “I got the news at 6AM, it's depressing. I can’t believe that Sam is gone, I saw a bright future in the young man.

“His peers embarked on ‘Urban Grooves’ but he chose mature Jazz and we thought he would take things higher than his father has done.”

Urban Grooves star Ngoni Kambarami said: “I can’t believe it, it’s like the death of Michael Jackson.

“Sam has gone too soon and will be sadly missed. I had an ambition to work with him in the future.”

Mtukudzi’s friend and yesteryear star Manatsa led his family on a visit to a private funeral parlour in Harare where Sam’s body was taken. The star fought back tears as he spoke to an equally emotional Sam Mataure, the Black Spirits’ drummer and manager.

Radio legend Ezra Tshisa Sibanda said: “It’s devastating to say the least. Sam was a rare talent, his death is not only a loss to the Mtukudzi family and friends but a great loss to Zimbabwe and music lovers all over.

“I’m really sad for his fans. The only comfort I take is that I was one of those blessed to have him as a friend and a brother. We should remember not just that he died, but that he lived. His life gave us memories too beautiful to forget.”

Zimbabweans from around the world paid their own tributes on internet chat-rooms and social networking sites.

Fans opened a number of groups on Facebook dedicated to the saxophone prodigy who released his debut album Rume Rimwe in 2008.

Fan Dickson Zenda wrote: “Sam u were töo young 2 die. why u my man? u were stil da gem in da making, but its god who has da final say, he saw it fit 2 take u. rest in peace sam vamutukudzi, chemai muine tariro mwari anechinangwa.”

UK-based music promoter Fungwa Mawarire, who took Sam on his first UK tour alongside his father in 2005, said on Facebook: “Usually when I am low, bereaved, in need of inspiration and encouragement, the least I do is to listen to Oliver Mtukudzi's ... Tuku always comes up with explanations.

“But today, the same Tuku is in my usual situation, what do I say to him over the loss of his one and only son Sam? I have searched my entire discography and the song I feel can bring comfort and solace to the Mtukudzi family is on his 57th album, Nhava - Track No 9 - Tiri Mubindu.”

Sad ending ... Police deliver Sam Mtukudzi's body to a Harare funeral parlour on Monday

With thanks to Mawarire, New Zimbabwe.com dedicates the following song to the Mtukudzi family:

TIRI MUBINDU - WE'RE IN A FLOWER FIELD

Ndaba ndabayiwax2 - I HAVE BEEN HURT, SO PAINFULLY HURT
Rwendo runo mandibaya - THIS TIME I HAVE BEEN HURT

Zvakafanana nemubindu reruva - IT'S LIKE A FLOWER GARDEN
Rawoma unodiridzira - IF ONE LOOKS DRY, YOU WATER IT
Kufanana nemubindu reruva
Rasvava unosakurira - IF IT'S SHRUNK, YOU REMOVE THE WEED AROUND IT

Ruva rango yevedza chete - THE FLOWER THAT LOOKS VERY ATTRACTIVE
Iwe kwachu watanha - YOU PLUCK IT - PULL/REMOVE IT
Wati nguva yakwana - YOU SAY IT'S TIME-UP
Rango yevedza chete
Iwe dambu watanha - YOU PULL IT - HARVEST IT
Anopera rumwe rumwe - YOU FINISH THEM (FLOWERS) ONE AFTER THE OTHER

Ruva rakanaka harirarame - THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER WILL NEVER SURVIVE
Tinoritana rangoyevedza - WE HARVEST IT THE MOMENT IT BLOSSOMS
Munhu akanaka haararame - A NICE INDIVIDUAL WILL NEVER SURVIVE
Anotama nenguva pfupi - HE RELOCATES (DIES!) AFTER A SHORT LIFE

Tiri mubindu - WE ARE IN A FLOWER FIELD
Tiri mubindu bindu bindu - A REAL FLOWER FIELD
Tiri mibindu
Tiri mubindu chaimo

Tipped for greatness ... In a picture released by TukuMusic, Sam Mtukudzi and his
dad Oliver perform together at the Pakare Paye Centre in Norton