“The loss that left a crater in my heart is a fresh wound. I pray hard God gives me strength today that I can celebrate memories of the 21 years with my son,” the singer said from the United States, as he remembered saxophone prodigy, Sam.

Mtukudzi’s wife Daisy and family members laid flowers at the crash site on a bridge just before the Kuwadzana Extension off-ramp along the Harare-Norton Road where Sam and his friend, Owen Chimhare, perished.

Daisy, joined by Chimhare’s family, musicians Alick Macheso, Victor Kunonga, Tendai Manatsa and members of Mtukudzi’s Black Spirits band, later made a tearful visit to the Warren Hills Cemetery where more flowers were laid at the graves of Sam and Owen.

Mtukudzi, on a week-long acoustic tour of the United States, called during a memorial service with words to comfort his tearful wife.

“A man cries for his son. I must cry, Sam. It’s no weakness crying. Outpouring grief is the inner strength to express my feelings for you.

“Your departure hurts me so much, son. The wound won’t heal because it can’t heal. But survive I must and continue your legacy. There is no time.

“Pleasant memories I relish daily … joking, laughing together, engaging the man-to-man issues. Inga wange watova Rume Rimwe pakati pevamwe varume. Ndiyo Nzou yandinoziva iyoyo.

“The journey of life we walked side-by-side as father and son. But as friends too. I can’t betray your vision, your dreams. I must accomplish for you.

“In another world, this day, I know you’re still the son I knew … a happy guy singing happy songs, edifying music. I know you’re shining too, smart and making new friends. I’m proud of you mhuru yeNzou.”