Sam Mtukudzi: what the future holds

Sam Mtukudzi: what the future holds

• Mtukudzi joined by son on UK tour

• Oliver Mtukudzi, 53 years on

• Mtukudzi's friends at birthday gigs

• Promoters clash at Tuku, Macheso show

• Tuku has just soiled himself

• Zimbabwe: a nation subsumed in politics

• New Zimbabwe.com victory as Mtukudzi apologises

• YOUR SHOUTS (Part 3): Outrage as Tuku backs Mugabe

• Mtukudzi: 'I am not a Zanu PF supporter'

• YOUR SHOUTS (Part 2): Outrage as Tuku backs Mugabe

• YOUR SHOUTS (Part 1): Outrage as Tuku backs Mugabe

• The bungling lunatic from Dande

• Oliver Mtukudzi sings for Zanu PF

• Mtukudzi, Ringo wind-up UK tour

• Mtukudzi records movie soundtrack in NZ

• Mtukudzi, Chaka Chaka conquer Namibia

• Ishmael out of tune with UK fans

• Tuku takes his subtle, discreet protest music to UK audiences

• Zimbabwe keeps protest music muffled

• Tuku brings Somerville crowd to its feet

By Showbiz Reporter

IN the same week that David Cameron faced down Tony Blair and told him "you were the future once", it could have been Oliver Mtukudzi's 18-year-old son, Sam, telling his dad the same.

Oliver Mtukudzi, 52 this year, quietly ushered his son into the public spotlight on a breathtaking tour of the UK at the weekend, possibly as a statement to his fans he won't be around the stage for long.

As he took to the stage at Birmingham's Sanctuary nightclub packed to the rafters last Friday, Mtukudzi introduced his fans to "the future", calling his son to join him on stage.

Young girls and married women screamed with collective delight as Sam walked next to his father, a guitar suspended from his neck.

His boyish looks and striking facial resemblance to his father were an instant hit with the ladies, who screamed with delight at his every movement -- sometimes even when he wasn't moving at all.

Although his voice lacked the finesse of his father, the authority with which he played the guitar, and later the saxophone, was a window through which Oliver Mtukudzi's fans could look into the future.

Sam's initiation was complete when his dad, turning to face the young man, began singing The Colour Is Black, one of Mtukudzi's most compelling songs in which he assumes the role of a father advising his son that whatever he does, no matter how educated or sophisticated he gets, he should always stay true to his roots.

Talking to Mtukudzi's visibly moved manager, Debbie Metcalfe, she confessed: "It's all rather emotional stuff, quite amazing."

On Saturday, Mtukudzi's road show entered London and 1 800 paid their way into London's Stratford Rex nightclub -- one of the biggest ever crowds to attend a Southern African concert in the UK. The record, of course, is held by Mtukudzi himself having drawn over 2000 fans to his first UK tour in 2002.

It was sobering stuff, literally. Midway through Tuku's performance, all types of alcohol were sold out, but the thirst for his music was unquenched as he played hit after hit until well after 3am.

New Zimbabwe.com has been told that next year, Mtukudzi will return to the UK with his daughter, Selma.

For now, Sam returns to Zimbabwe to play with his Prince Edward school band but whatever the message Oliver Mtukudzi is trying to send out to his fans, one thing is clear: the Mtukudzi brand will live long beyond him.
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shapiro@newzimbabwe.com