GRIEVING Oliver Mtukudzi says his Easter tour of the UK is to go ahead, putting on a brave face after burying his only son on Wednesday.

The April 2 gig at London’s Stratford Rex will now be a dedication to the memory of his son, Sam, killed in a car crash on Monday.

Sam Mataure, Mtukudzi’s manager and drummer, said: “Tuku will take a week off to spend time with his family. We have cancelled all our engagements this weekend.

“He will return to work on 26 and 27 March when we perform in Johannesburg and Pretoria respectively, before travelling to the UK.”

Mtukudzi, his manager said, had spoken to his friend Ringo Madlingozi who told him: “Sam would have wanted this tour to go ahead.”

Sam was due to celebrate his 22nd birthday in the UK on April 1, a day before the concert also featuring Ringo and Congolese rhumba ace Awilo Longomba.

Mataure said: “We hope we can make the show as exciting as possible with Sam in mind.”

Cut short ... Mtukudzi on stage with his late son, Sam

There were fears Mtukudzi would pull the plug on the tour, with some suggestions he may even decide to quit live performances due to the trauma of losing his son.

But Mataure quashed the speculation, insisting: “This is work, we have to work.”

Thousands of people lined the streets of Harare and Mtukudzi’s home town of Norton on Wednesday to bid farewell to tragic Sam, who released his debut album Rume Rimwe in 2008.

President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Deputy Prime Ministers Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe and Mavambo-Kusile leader Simba Makoni led the tributes. Mtukudzi was supported throughout since Monday by sungura star, Alick Macheso, who has been a permanent fixture by the singer’s side.

Fellow musicians Charles Charamba, Mechanic Manyeruke, Tongai Moyo, Sulumani Chimbetu and Albert Nyathi have also turned up to support Mtukudzi and his family. Mtukudzi also revealed he had spoken on the phone with Chimurenga star Thomas Mapfumo from his United States base.

On Thursday, the singer said he had been deeply touched by the outpouring of grief from Zimbabweans.

"When we saw the huge crowd at the funeral, we realised that we were not alone. Everyone is grieving with us,” Mtukudzi said.

"What was sad about the death was Sam’s age and that we had high hopes for him. Taitoti ndiye achatichengeta (We thought he would look after us).”

Support ... Alick Macheso (left) with Oliver Mtukudzi and sungura singer First Farai