Online Reporter
YESTERDAY, we reported that in three days’ time, the country’s music fraternity will mark 15 years since the tragic death of Sam Mtukudzi.
He lost his life in a road accident in Harare on March 15, 2010, and died alongside his friend and sound engineer, Owen Chimhare.
His life, like a candle in the wind, was abruptly extinguished by the hand of fate.
The impact of his loss continues to resonate, particularly within his family, who are still grappling with the grief of his untimely passing.
His father, the legendary Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, endured years of pain following the death of his son, who was only 21, at the time.
Sam appeared destined for greatness and his music continues to enchant listeners, with some tracks seemingly predicting his own fate.
On April 5, his legacy and life will be commemorated through song and dance at Pakare Paye Arts Centre in Norton.
Sam died on the very day, March 15, which in the ancient Roman calendar is associated with misfortune and doom.
It is renowned as the date when Julius Caesar was assassinated.
We highlighted that March hasn’t been a kind month for some of the country’s high-profile individuals and many families will be remembering their late loved ones.
We reported that it was also the month we lost three footballers — Blessing Makunike, Shingi Arlon and Gary Mashoko — who died on March 13, 2004, when the car they were travelling crashed and turned into a fireball.
They were all playing for CAPS United and were coming from a league match in Bulawayo.
We also highlighted that this was also the same month we lost radio and television personality Zororo Makamba.
Zororo died on March 12, 2020, just two days after testing positive for Covid-19.
Andy Brown also died in March.
There is no doubt that March has been a very difficult and challenging month for our sports and music stars.
What we can do is to always remember these celebrities we lost along the way and to ensure that their legacy is not forgotten.
We have a responsibility to ensure that we keep their legacy alive.
That is why we are happy that Sam Mtukudzi’s family and friends are ensuring that the country will never forget the young musician who was clearly destined for greatness.
But this should not end with honouring the memory of Sam alone but the memory of all those we lost — the likes of Makunike, Andy Brown and Zororo Makamba.
We should never forget our heroes.
We need their stories to inspire the next generation of stars.
Yes, March has largely been a tragic month for our sports and music stars but we can turn it into a month to celebrate their legacy and the contribution they made to our sports and music industries.
Death took their lives but it didn’t take away their legacy.
