Harare — People from all walks of life on Tuesday expressed shock and disbelief over the tragic death of musician Sam Munyaradzi Mtukudzi.

Sam Mtukudzi died in the early hours of Monday together with his sound engineer, Owen Chimhare, near Kuwadzana Extension.

Condolence messages continued to pour in for the two AY Band members, as the news filtered in that they had perished in a car accident.

The Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Cde Webster Shamu, said Sam's death was not only a loss to the Mtukudzi family alone but to the nation of Zimbabwe.

"Zimbabwe has lost a young African patriot at heart, who was principled, simple, down to earth, despite his tender age, talent and fame," he said.

Cde Shamu said like his father, Sam was fast becoming a household name in his own right, and had already endeared himself to millions of music lovers in whose hearts he occupied a special place through his talent.

"Young Mtukudzi was endowed with irresistible charisma and maturity, which belied his tender age at which he was already drawing large audiences and captivating them with his fusion of Zimbabwe contemporary music and jazz."

Cde Shamu is also the patron of the Zimbabwe Union of Musicians.

Musician Prince Tendai, who is also the chairman of Zimbabwe Music Rights Association, said the industry had been robbed of a promising talented young man.

"It doesn't get worse than this. He (Sam) was a rising star with a bright future ahead of him and all that has been doomed. It's so unfair," Prince Tendai said.

Mr Douglas Mamvura, a prominent banker and a close family member of the Mtukudzis, said Sam's death had not only dealt a blow to the family but the music world at large.

"He was my nephew and an exceptionally talented young man with a bright future. It's so sad that we have lost him at a tender age," he said.

Professor Fred Zindi said he knew Sam when he was still with the Prince Edward School Jazz Band, showing that he would be great musician.

"I have known Sam ever since he was still a member of the Prince Edward School Jazz Band. I know that he used to steal his father's guitar and Tuku was surprised when he saw him play.

"That is when Oliver decided to encourage him to play the guitar and because he (Sam) was interested in music he also learnt how to play the saxophone.

"Since that time he had been introduced to fans as an artiste until a time when he formed his own band, AY. Only a week before he died I watched him on stage and I told him that he had a bright future and little did I know that his future would be cut short," he said.

In a statement, Mr Nicholas Moyo, the deputy director of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, said while death was a natural phenomenon, its occurrence brought too much grieving when society least expects it.

"Once again the arts and culture fraternity, particularly the music sector, has been plunged into deep mourning by the sudden death of a music icon in the making -- Sam Mtukudzi.

"Sam was following in his father's footsteps. Barely in his 20s, he had already established his own band, the revered AY Band that had established its own niche market in the highly competitive musical sector.

"What is more painful is the fact that the passing on of Sam happened when the man was still very young, vibrant and enterprising. The nation was already convinced that Sam was destined to take the Mtukudzi musical legacy and brand to another level.

"Indeed, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the entire arts and culture fraternity is greatly saddened by this untimely death. As we grieve, we are more pained by the fact that the elder Mtukudzi (Oliver), father to Sam, was in the process of imparting skills to his dear son, moulding him into a fully fledged professional musician who by no doubt was poised to emulate his mentor's exceptional talent.

"Zimbabwe has lost a talented young man, an individual with a lot of talent. Again his passing on happened when the musical sector had just taken a keen interest in nurturing the talents of young musicians, particularly sons and daughters of yesteryear musical greats.

Fellow musicians described the loss as quite tragic and a big loss to the entertainment industry

Tanga Wekwasando: It's quite shocking, we have been robbed of a talented musician, it's sad for the youth since he was their yardstick. We will sorely miss him and may his soul rest in peace.

Dino Mudondo: Sam was my young brother and whenever we meet he treated me as his elder brother. He was humble and understanding, anyway it's everybody's way. May his soul rest in peace.

Baba Charamba: I know Mr Mtukudzi was shaping his son's future and death approached him untimely, its painful but that's the way it is. He had three characteristics, which he had, that is hardworking, understanding and emulating. To the Mtukudzi family God is there for them.

Sulumani Chimbetu:It is a painful death, and the nation has been robbed one of the finest talents who was going to take local music to a greater stage.

Stunner: We as the youth have lost a talented musician whom we were working with very well. We will miss him and may his soul rest in peace.

Josh Hozheri(music promoter): We worked very well with Sam, he was indeed a star and his gap I don't know who is going to fill it

Yagga : It was very shocking indeed, it was something that came right of the blue. We lost a brother in music. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mtukudzi family.

Sam would have turned 22 on April 1. His AY Band comprises Samuel Tsatsi, Martha Badza, Alastas Mushore, Tawanda Ndoro and Saiwe Chimbetu, the sister to Suluman as its members.