Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
DAISY MTUKUDZI says she is still coming to terms with the death of her son, Samson, which occurred during Women’s Month.
Sam died in a road accident on March 15, 2010, aged 21, along the Harare–Bulawayo highway.
The talented crooner had made an instant impact when he died.
As such, Daisy — widow of the national hero and music icon Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi — has been honouring her son in unique ways each year.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Daisy said she was yet to come to terms with her son’s death.
“It feels like yesterday when I recall the memories I had with my late son,” said Tuku’s widow.
“There are moments I wish he was still around and I can’t imagine where he could have been right now considering that he had already made an impact at 21. He was still young, and it’s never any parent’s wish to see young people dying.”
Daisy, who used to hold memorial shows for Sam, revealed that she had not budgeted for this year’s commemoration of her son.
“To be honest, I would have loved to host my son’s anniversary show but, due to lack of resources and finances, we are not holding one this year. At family level, we did something for our son and we are still missing him.
“We loved our son and the whole world knows that fact. We wanted him to take the family legacy forward but this happened, and we are still to come to terms with the death. Losing someone you loved is not easy and in my case I lost both Sam and Oliver, which has made my situation worse.”
Daisy hailed fans, friends and fellow creatives who have continued to celebrate Sam’s legacy.
“The only comfort I have in March are people who continue to celebrate his triumph. To think it’s now 16 years after his death is like a bad dream. It feels like yesterday, as I clearly indicated. We continue praying to God to comfort us but, to be honest, we are hurting deep down in our hearts. I have realised that I need to accept the situation, but losing a son and husband is not something that I can take lightly, to be honest. I keep on thinking he will knock at my door coming from his errands in town,” she added.
Sam was in the same league as Jah Prayah, Suluman Chimbetu, Andy Muridzo and Tendai Dembo at the time of his death.
He died at a time when he was holding solo shows and was beginning to carve out his own path.
He was given exposure by his father, who toured the world with him.
It was Tuku who introduced Sam to international audiences before he died, along with his sound engineer, Owen Chimhare.
The late Tongai “Dhewa” Moyo was one of the first people to arrive at the scene of the accident in Kuwadzana Extension, Harare.
Dhewa was also touched by Tuku, since they once stayed together in Kwekwe.
The bond between Dhewa and Tuku dated back to that time.
The same strong bond existed between Tuku and his late son, as they formed a formidable combination doing music together as father and son. Many admired the connection they had, but the cruel hand of death snatched Sam at an early age.
Over the years, Sam’s music and the memories he left behind have continued to inspire younger artistes and fans alike.
Samson’s life, though cut tragically short, left a lasting imprint on Zimbabwe’s music scene and on the hearts of those who knew him.
Daisy’s ongoing grief and the family’s quieter commemorations underscore the deep personal cost of the loss, even as the wider community continues to celebrate and preserve his legacy.
