Big send-off for Sam, Owen

By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka and Jairos Saunyama

HUNDREDS of people, including the who’s who of Harare, yesterday thronged Warren Hills Cemetery to bid farewell to Sam Mtukudzi and Owen Chimhare who were killed in a road accident on Monday.

It was also revealed yesterday that President Mugabe had extended US$10 000 to the bereaved families for funeral expenses. The two were laid to rest side-by-side at a moving afternoon ceremony. The crowd burst into song when hearses carrying the bodies of the two young men arrived.

Others who lined the road to the cemetery openly wept as the procession made its way with a police escort. Traffic police manned every intersection along the way as bus after bus ferried mourners behind the hearses. Harare’s fashionistas donned black designer outfits despite the blistering heat that characterised the better part of the afternoon.

Owen’s body was the first to arrive and the crowd started pushing and shoving to catch a glimpse of the casket bearing the body of the promising sound engineer. Sam’s body arrived minutes later and the crowd pressed closer, making it difficult for pallbearers to reach the graves.

A stampede nearly broke out and police moved in to restore order. There was not enough space to swing a cat and some people sat on old graves while others climbed onto their cars to follow proceedings. The Prince Edward School Choir performed a song titled “We Will Miss You” in tribute to the deceased.

Thieves took advantage of the crowds to make some “business” and police arrested one man who had reportedly stolen US$300 from a mourner. Worse still, someone stole a sleeping baby from an open car. While others were stealing, President Mugabe was extending assistance to the two bereaved families.

A statement from his office read: “The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr M.J.M. Sibanda, has announced a decision by His Excellency the President, Cde R.G. Mugabe, to assist the bereaved Mtukudzi and Chimhare families towards meeting funeral expenses.

“To that end, the President has directed his ofice to release US$10 000 to the two families.” On Tuesday, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai went to pay his condolences to the Mtukudzi family in Norton. “I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to Oliver, his wife Daisy and the rest of the Mtukudzi family following the sad passing of Sam,” he said.

Earlier at a church service at Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton yesterday, Oliver Mtukudzi and his wife Daisy described Sam and Owen as disciplined children. “I never had problems with these boys. It only took a word for them to do good things. Yes, at times they made their mistakes but they were disciplined.

“If you don’t have discipline as an artiste no one will listen to your music,” the distraught Tuku said. Quoting one of his songs, “Kubara”, Tuku told Owen’s father, Mr Samuel Chimhare, that the young man was “everyone’s child”.

“Owen did not belong to you alone but to every parent. I probably benefited more from him (Owen) than you. So ndinoti kubara mwana wabarira vamwe,” he said.

However, it was his last words to the boys that touched a lot of hearts and he too broke down as he said them. “Samson, Samson mwanangu, urikupiko? Ndini baba vako Oliver Mtukudzi, nzou . . .

“Kana usirikudzoka famba zvakanaka. Owen, Owen, Mazvimbakupa, mogodzoka kwamaenda kwete kuzogumira panzira,” he sobbed.

Daisy was all tears and struggled for composure.

As she chronicled Sam’s life, grief got the better of her as she cried: “Ndotangira papi mhai? Kurambwa nenyika here shuwa? Ko kusekwa here? Mwanangu oga mukomana chete vanga vaatwo naOwen ndokubva vatorwa vese.”

Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu sang a popular hymn “Tichasanganiswa”.

He invited all musicians present on stage and they sang a rendition of Jimmy Reeves hit “Across the Bridge” together.

The song had heart-rending significance as Sam and Owen perished when their Tata truck rammed into a bridge.

Minister Shamu praised the two for loving one another unconditionally.

“The lesson we learn from the two boys is that we may be different but we were created by one God and we are one no matter language we speak and we have one country.”

Youth Development, Indegenisation and Empowerment, Minister Saviour Kasukuwere spoke highly of the late duo’s musical talent.

Other notables at the burial were Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe, State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, ICT Minister Nelson Chamisa    , Deputy Justice Minister Jessie Majome    , Zanu-PF youth director Cde Patrick Zhuwao and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer Mr Karikoga Kaseke.

Also present were popular talk show host Mai Rebecca Chisamba, artistes, businesspeople and ordinary people. The Herald

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