After the speeches there was the body viewing and a scramble ensued as people realised that there was not going to be enough time for everyone to see the bodies. The master of ceremonies pleaded for patience and calm then called out for assistance from security as the jostling continued. He rebuked the crowd for not showing respect at an event like this. “Even at a funeral you want to push and shove,” he said in Shona. In the end he ordered that the coffins be closed.

.

^ Tuku, wife and family members view the bodies for the last time.

This drew many complaints from people, some of whom screamed out that they had come from as far as Kwekwe and Bulawayo for the funeral.

The coffins were reopened briefly for the Mtukudzi and Chimhare families to do their final viewing. A few more people managed to get a chance to view the bodies before the coffins were closed again and taken away.

A police led convoy of over fifty vehicles including two hearses carrying the coffins and buses supplied by Jimmy Jimalo Chiyangwa made it’s way from Pakare Paye Arts Centre just after 1410hrs (GMT+2) and headed to Warren Hills Cemetery, about 30 kilometres away on the outskirts of Harare. More vehicles followed and police had a busy afternoon directing traffic at the turn-off to the cemetery.

^ The two coffins, Owen on the left and Sam on the right.

At the burial site, thousands of people gathered round the two graves. At around 1530hrs, the coffins were lowered into the ground as more wails of grief rang through the hills of Warren Park.

^ We buried them in the hills.

What we saw today touched us to the core. Family members breaking down in disbelief. Artists who had worked with Sam and Owen, male and female, wailing in pain, tears streaming down their faces. A crowd of people pushing for their lives just to get one last look, one last brief moment to say hello- and goodbye. A music icon and his wife, shattered to the soul, whom we realised are just parents like millions of others around the world, who simply wanted the best for their son, and who lost him when they least expected it.

To quote Tuku this afternoon. “The mistake I made was thinking he was mine forever.” We too, all too often make that mistake. Life is fleeting.

To Sam and Owen, rest in peace.

- Fungai Tichawangana for The Zimbo Jam

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lizzie Rukainga Murandu  - tinotenda muri yezimbabwe.   |2010-03-17 18:34:29 zvinorwadza asi mwene weruva atora zoroorai murugare sekuru.ndinodakutenda mhuri yezimbabwe nenguva yenyu yamaisa kuva ne mhuri yekwa Mtukudzi,mwari vakuitirei nyasha. Reply 1   0

tindola  - GOODBYE MAFARO   |2010-03-18 03:49:34 TO ME YU WERE BROTHERS WALK SAFE VAKOMANA HOPE WE WILL MEET SOME DAY R.I.P Reply 0   0

Makhosionke Sean Sigabade  - Rrest in peace Sam and Owen   |2010-03-18 04:00:12 Sad end to the lives of two young men with so much promise and talent, Zimbwabweans here in South Africa join the Mtukudzi and Mhare families in mourning the loss of their son but we also celebrate their lives and musical journeys as they sojourne into the spiritual world may they rest in peace. Reply 0   0

silent hlanganiso moyo  - famba murugare   |2010-03-18 04:39:13 Hazvina mhosva hazvo ndiko kutonga kwa mwari.Chokwadi munhu akanaka haararami.Baba namai Mutukudzi chemai munetariro nekuda kwamwari tichasanganiswa Reply 1   0

Annastasia  - Im sorry Mutukudzi family   |2010-03-18 06:11:38 Tarasikirwa its so sad kuti Sam had dreams and all those dreams are shattered. Zera racho rinorwadza. Am so sorry baba namai Sam and family my deepest condolences to you. Reply 0   0

Zivai Makanda   |2010-03-18 06:12:49 Aiwa ndine urombo baba naamai Mutukudzi, baba naamai Mhare, to all family members and to all of us Zimbabweans nekurasikirwa nevakomana ava. Zororai murugare vakomana, isu vasara ngatichemei netariro tichiziva kuti pavo vapedza pasariresu. Reply 0   0

Annastasia  - Tiri kuchema nemi   |2010-03-18 06:15:00 To the Chimhare family tiri kuchema nemi. Sorry for your loss. Reply 0   0

Passion  - Ssion   |2010-03-18 06:28:53 we never knw whn our own journeys are going to end nd it hurts when we see our frnds go. these guys had the chance of knwing each other nd they had the priviledge to go as one. we love you guys. rest in peace Reply 0   0

elta  - Famabai zvakanaka vakomana   |2010-03-18 08:30:26 Hazvina hazvo mhosva. Zororai murugare vakomana. Tichakurangarirai narini narini Reply 0   0

Lil  - Painfull   |2010-03-18 10:32:21 Haa ma1 amana. Zororai murugare Nzou naMazvimbakupa. Mwari akutungamirei. Reply 0   1

Alex Madhlangove  - Mr   |2010-03-18 12:27:23 Tinochema nemi baba na mai Mutukudzi zvinorwadza kana wakatarisira kuti achakuchengeta otorwa pasina kana kurwara zvinorwadza.Mwari akusimbisei mukunde panguva yakadai.Sam may your saul and spirit rest in peace. Reply 0   0

Henry B. Kativu  - My heartfelt Condolenses   |2010-03-19 18:55:02 My heartfelt condolences to all the Mutukudzi Family for their loss of 2 beloved sons. Praying that the Lord Jesus Christ will comfort you with His power of the Holy Spirit. From the Henry B. Kativu Family in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Reply 1   0

Daphne  - Rarai zvakanaka Sama naOwen.......   |2010-03-21 15:28:38 Words alone cannot express my sadness. You will sadly be missed not only by the millions of Zimbabwe but by all the other people from all walks of life who got to share moments with you guys. God has taken you so young but it's only a perfect gain to the Heavenly Choir. Zororayi murugare dzamara tasanganiswa naNyadenga.xx Reply 0   0

nyasha mandipe   |2010-04-19 08:38:16 knowin the two boys from Chindunduma was somethin of to tresure and nw they r gone still hve them in mind .REST IN PEACE GUYS Sam and Owen Reply 0   0

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