Lucky Dube (1964-2007), South African Reggae Icon, Shot Dead in Rosettenville; Shock and Outrage is Heard Around the World

Lucky Dube (1964-2007) was shot dead in South Africa on Thursday, October 18, 2007. The reggae icon was hailed and respected all over Africa and the world.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

'They have failed to kill Lucky Dube's spirit'

Mail & Guardian Online reporters
Johannesburg, South Africa
19 October 2007 11:27

http://www.luckydubemusic.com

The news of the death of South African reggae star Lucky Dube in a botched hijacking attempt in Johannesburg has drawn strong reaction from around the world.

Dube was shot dead in Rosettenville at about 8.20pm on Thursday night, said police spokesperson Captain Cheryl Engelbrecht. The singer was travelling in a grey Chrysler with his two teenage children at the time.

Engelbrecht said Dube had dropped off his son and daughter, aged 15 and 16, when he was attacked. The killers fled the scene, leaving the musician's car behind. The children were unhurt.

Ivor Haarburger, CEO of Gallo Records South Africa, told the Mail & Guardian Online: "We are in shock; not only me but the whole company. He has been with us for over 20 years. It's a real tragedy, not only to those in South Africa, but also Africa and the rest of the world. He was a star in his own right. I toured with him and we became good friends.

"I know his family as well and Lucky was the most organised and decent person and it's a shock. I've been getting calls from everywhere, Colorado, Rwanda, and we were on radio in Kenya. He was a huge star. To shoot someone like this is murder. If they had asked for his car, he would have given it with no questions, but to shoot him is wrong. He was a well-known figure. They would have recognised him; there was no need to shoot him."

Fellow musician Abigail Kubeka told the M&G Online: "I don't know what to say. A humble person like Lucky Dube dying in this way is very alarming. The death of musician who preached peace and goodwill through his music has devastated me, and I am certain that the rest of the music industry is just as devastated."

Kwelagobe, lead vocalist of Kwani Experience, said Dube's death shows "we are all not safe, whether you are [well-]known or not. As a musician he will be remembered for raising our flag internationally and opening doors for us. May his soul rest in peace."

Said Jay Sevage, MD of Sony/ATV: "We are already getting calls from all over the world about this tragedy. I am reluctant to make any statements about this, but I hope that this can draw people's attention about the problem of crime in South Africa. It is indeed a devastating tragedy."

Mbeki

President Thabo Mbeki made an appeal to South Africans to confront the "scourge" of crime together. "This is indeed very, very sad that this happened to an outstanding South African -- an outstanding musician, world renowned," he said as he was leaving for France to support the Springboks in the World Cup final.

Mbeki conveyed his condolences to the family and to Dube's fans in South Africa and around the world.

"Even as we prepare to celebrate the victory of the Springboks, we must also grieve the death of an outstanding South African and indeed make a commitment that we shall continue to act together as a people to confront this terrible scourge of crime, which has taken the lives of too many of our people -- and does so every day," he said.

"Perhaps when we bring back the cup that will also be a salute to a fellow artist -- as the Springboks are artists -- to the life of a really great South African artist, Lucky Dube," Mbeki said.

The African National Congress (ANC) said it was "deeply shocked and saddened by the brutal murder of music legend Lucky Dube".

"The ANC condemns in the possible strongest terms, this barbaric and senseless killing by people who have no respect for life. We urge law-enforcement agencies to act promptly in hunting down these nefarious, ruthless criminals who have robbed the Dube family of a father and a son, and a musical icon of all times to South Africa, Africa and the world at large."

It added: "Through his music, Dube played a pivotal role in sensitising the world about the hardships faced by oppressed people in South Africa at the height of apartheid. His lyrics were a thorn on the side of the apartheid government which had put in place policies precisely designed to undermine the existence of black people and all those who denounced the regime."

The Democratic Alliance said the country has been robbed of one of its most "talented and patriotic musical ambassadors".

"The circumstances surrounding his murder again illustrate that violent crime in South Africa is out of control, and that government's remedies to address this scourge have failed," said party spokesperson on arts and culture Desiree van der Walt. "Lucky Dube did so much for our country, both as an artist and as a patriot. The best tribute to him and the amazing life he lived would be for government to intensify its fight against crime."

'Monumental loss'

In a statement, the Department of Arts and Culture said Dube's death "is not only a family tragedy but a monumental loss for the nation and for music lovers the world over".

"We in the Ministry of Arts and Culture are saddened and stunned at the manner of his death. It marks a sad day in the history of our country. Lucky Dube was not just a global ambassador for South African musical talent, music and heritage. He was a world-renowned African composer, singer, band leader, cultural activist, visionary and performer," it said.

The statement added: "What makes his death more painful is that it happens at a time when government has renewed its pledge to forge a partnership with people, communities and their institutions to fight crime. Crime is a South African problem and every one of us in this country must play our role in fighting it.

"We condemn this senseless and violent killing of an artist who nourished our souls as a nation, articulated the experience and aspirations of the people and used his talent to enrich our identity, musical heritage and culture.

"The killers of Lucky Dube might have ended his life with a couple of bullets. But they have failed to kill his spirit. He will live on through his music in our memory and heritage. We will always listen to his eternal voice through his music."

Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) MP Velaphi Ndlovu said South Africa is once again making headlines "for all the wrong reasons".

"The minister of safety and security and the president are in denial about crime and are refusing to admit to the size and severity of the problem. Government apathy is what leads to 50 murders daily in this country."

The IFP called on the government to reveal how it plans to stop the "bloodbath". "Or is the truth that they just don't care and they don't know what to do?"

Outrage

The Congress of South African Trade Unions said it was "appalled and outraged" at the murder. "We are all devastated at the sudden and senseless killing of a star who brought so much joy to so many and who was the biggest single exporter of South African music internationally," said spokesperson Patrick Craven.

"He will always remain in our hearts as a unique person with exceptional talent, which will never be equalled, combined with a strong commitment to the values of freedom and humanity which found expression in all his songs."

The union federation also added its voice to calls for solutions to the country's violent crime and demanded that police "relentlessly hunt down" his killers. "This atrocity highlights the grim reality of the daily carnage on our streets, the main victims of which are working people and the poor," it said.

The Pan Africanist Congress expressed its "shock and anger" at Dube's "cold-blooded murder".

"It signifies yet again how much criminals disregard human life," said party coordinator Modini Maivha. "We pass our condolences to Lucky's family and the families of other victims of violent crime in the country. We call on the government to empower citizens ... by releasing crime statistics regularly.

"This will enable us to appreciate the levels of crime and galvanise South Africans to do more to help our under-resourced police force."

The African National Congress Youth League expressed its "great shock and sadness", saying: "Lucky Dube rose into prominence during the most difficult period in the history of this country. His music was an inspiration to the struggling masses. Urgent and extraordinary measures need to be taken to stop violent crimes once and for all, particularly in Gauteng."

The African Christian Democratic Party also sent its condolences to Dube's family and called for the reinstatement of the death penalty. The party's Western Cape representative Hansie Louw said in a statement: "Will the death penalty not reduce the senseless killings? There is no respect for life."


JOHANNESBURG

Outrage over Lucky Dube's killing

Fri, 19 Oct 2007

Johannesburg police were on Friday looking for three men driving a blue VW Polo believed to have been involved in the botched hijacking and murder of reggae star Lucky Dube (43).

Dube was shot dead in Rosettenville, at around 8.20pm on Thursday night, said Police Captain Cheryl Engelbrecht.

His kids were with him

The singer was travelling in a grey Chrysler with his two teenage children at the time.

Engelbrecht said Dube had dropped off his son and daughter, aged 15 and 16, when he was attacked. The killers fled the scene, leaving the musician's car behind. The children were unhurt.

"His son was already out of the car. When he saw what was happening, he ran to ask for help."

The boy was too traumatised to provide police with any information, she added.

Melvin Khumalo from Gallo Records — Dube's recording company — was not willing to comment on the incident, saying the company was attending to Dube's family.

Lucky Philip Dube was born in Ermelo, east of Johannesburg, on 3 August 1964. After a few failed pregnancy attempts by his mother Sarah, Lucky came into the world, according to an entry on his website, http://www.luckydubemusic.com

His mother considered his birth so fortunate that she aptly named him 'Lucky'.

A tough upbringing

Born into a single parent family, times were tough for a black boy born into poverty under the Group Areas Act and the Pass Laws of the time.

Lucky's parents had separated before he was born. His mother was the only breadwinner in the family and was forced to relocate to find work, leaving Lucky and his siblings, Thandi and Patrick, to be cared for by his grandmother.

With a father who drank heavily, Lucky was somewhat relieved he did not get to know his father when he was younger as he is certain it would have influenced him and swayed his career.

Lucky had only ever been drunk once, as a young boy, after being tricked at a party. So awful was the experience that he swore off alcohol, cigarettes and drugs completely.

He began working as a gardener at the age most children enter school. He later joined a school himself.

Although a clearly underprivileged child and despite being taught in Afrikaans, Lucky excelled and joined the school choir. He was a natural performer and when the choirmaster walked out of their practise one day, Lucky took over. His popularity amongst his teachers and peers grew dramatically and Lucky was now finding school a safe haven in his life, according to his website.

20 albums over 20 years

Dube went on to become a frontline artist in the reggae genre. He recorded over 20 albums in a career spanning over 20 years. They included 'Rastas Never Die', 'Think About The Children', 'Soul Taker', 'Trinity' and his latest, released in 2006, is called 'Respect'.

He won over 20 awards for his music contribution locally and internationally.

Political parties on Friday expressed their outrage at the murder and called for more to be done to reduce the country's violent crime.

The Pan Africanist Congress on Friday expressed its "shock and anger" at Dube's "cold-blooded murder".

"It signifies yet again how much criminals disregard human life," said party co-ordinator Modini Maivha.

Regular crime stats needed

"We pass our condolences to Lucky's family and the families of other victims of violent crime in the country. We call on the government to empower citizens... by releasing crime statistics regularly.

"This will enable us to appreciate the levels of crime and galvanise South Africans to do more to help our under-resourced police force."

The African Christian Democratic Party also sent its condolences to Dube's family and called for the reinstatement of the death penalty.

The party's Western Cape representative Hansie Louw said in a statement: "Will the death penalty not reduce the senseless killings? There is no respect for life."

Inkatha Freedom Party MP Velaphi Ndlovu said South Africa was once again making headlines, "for all the wrong reasons".

Does govt care?

"The minister of safety and security and the president are in denial about crime and are refusing to admit to the size and severity of the problem. Government apathy is what leads to 50 murders daily in this country."

The party called on the government to reveal how they planned to stop the "bloodbath".

"Or is the truth that they just don't care and they don't know what to do?"

The Congress of SA Trade Unions said it was "appalled and outraged" at the murder.

"We are all devastated at the sudden and senseless killing of a star who brought so much joy to so many and who was the biggest single exporter of South African music internationally," said spokesperson Patrick Craven.

"He will always remain in our hearts as a unique person with exceptional talent, which will never be equalled, combined with a strong commitment to the values of freedom and humanity which found expression in all his songs."

The union federation also added its voice to calls for solutions to the country's violent crime and demanded that police "relentlessly hunt down" his killers.

"This atrocity highlights the grim reality of the daily carnage on our streets, the main victims of which are working people and the poor."

The Democratic Alliance said the country had been robbed of one of its most "talented and patriotic musical ambassadors".

"The circumstances surrounding his murder again illustrate that violent crime in SA is out of control, and that government's remedies to address this scourge have failed," said party spokesperson on arts and culture Desiree van der Walt.

"Lucky Dube did so much for our country, both as an artist and as a patriot. The best tribute to him and the amazing life he lived, would before government to intensify its fight against crime."

Sapa


PRETORIA

Lucky Dube killing very sad - Mbeki

Fri, 19 Oct 2007

President Thabo Mbeki made an appeal to South Africans to confront the "scourge" of crime together, following the murder of reggae star Lucky Dube.

"This is indeed very, very sad that this happened to an outstanding South African — an outstanding musician, world renowned," Mbeki said as he was leaving for France to support the Springboks in the World Cup final.

Mbeki conveyed his condolences to the family and also to Dube's fans in SA and around the world.

"Even as we prepare to celebrate the victory of the Springboks we must also grieve the death of an outstanding South African and indeed make a commitment that we shall continue to act together as a people to confront this terrible scourge of crime, which has taken the lives of too many of our people — and does so every day," he said.

"Perhaps when we bring back the cup that will also be a salute to a fellow artist — as the Springboks are artists — to the life of a really great South African artist, Lucky Dube," Mbeki said.

Sapa


JOHANNEBURG

Help find Lucky Dube's killers

Staff Reporter and Sapa
Fri, 19 Oct 2007

Police and Crime Line on Friday made an urgent call to the public for any information about the killing of musician Lucky Dube who was gunned down last night in Rosettenville, Johannesburg.

"’The murder of Dube has shocked the nation. He was gunned-down in Rosetenville on Thursday night. With the help of the public, the police can bring the killers to book. There have been reports that there were possibly three gunmen involved. They were seen in a blue VW Polo," said Primedia’s Crime Line manager Yusuf Abramjee.

"If you know who might have been involved, SMS your tip-off anonymously to 32211 (at a cost of a rand) or leave your lead on http://www.crimeline.co.za " said Abramjee.

"Let’s break our silence and blow the whistle on criminals. Let’s assist the SAPS to get Dube’s killers behind bars," he added.

Police Captain Cheryl Engelbrecht said the incident took place at around 8.20pm and that Dube was dropping off his son in the area when he was attacked.

"His son was already out of the car. When he saw what was happening, he ran to ask for help."

The hijackers were still at large.

The boy was too traumatised to provide police with any information, Engelbrecht said.

Melvin Khumalo from Gallo Records — Dube's recording company-was not willing to comment on the incident, saying the company was attending to Dube's family.

Khumalo was on the scene in Rosettenville on Thursday.

Dube, born in Johannesburg in 1964, was named "Lucky" as he was born in poor health and doctors thought he would die, according to Wikipedia.

But Dube survived and went on to become a frontline artist in the reggae genre.

He had recorded over 20 albums in his music career which spanned over 20 years — according to the singer's website http://www.luckydubemusic.com

His albums included 'Rastas Never Die', 'Think About The Children', 'Soul Taker', 'Trinity' and his latest, released in 2006, is called Respect.

The reggae sensation, who did not drink or smoke cigarettes or marijuana, despite the association of the substance with Rastafarians, had won over 20 awards for his music contribution locally and internationally.

Crime Line is a Primedia initiative supported by the SA police — iafrica.com is a Primedia company and an active supporter of Crime Line.


Honouring Lucky Dube

Eugene Mthethwa
19 October 2007 12:41

As I got the third call at 1.13am confirming Lucky Dube's death, I could not go back to sleep but started reminiscing about the times we had spent together when I was still his keyboard player.

One view that I still hold about Lucky is that he was the most brilliant composer that South Africa has ever had, as attested by the lyrical content of songs such as Little Heroes, Crazy World (Dinky), House of Exile, Keep on Knocking, Johnny, Up with Hope (Down with Dope), Reap What you Sow ...

It is a pity, though, that we are living in a country that sees no value in someone until he is dead and gone. Only then you will hear stories about that person that you never heard while he was still alive.

Lucky was one of the artists that this country did not honour accordingly, but buried him while he was still alive. He was more appreciated outside South Africa than in his own country. During apartheid, when he was singing against the system, he got much media coverage and love from the South African people, including the state itself, but post-1994 when we achieved the freedom he was fighting for, he never got the love he deserved, even from our state.

I am reminded of an incident when I was still his keyboard player and we were invited to perform in the then South West Africa, now known as Namibia. The booking never indicated that we would be performing at a military camp for the South African Defence Force. We only realised this when we arrived for the actual performance and saw white men in army uniforms.

We knew that we were trapped in a situation that might kill Lucky Dube's career due to the political incorrectness of the performance and a possible bomb attack from the military wing of the South West African Political Organisation led by the former president Sam Nujoma.

We got together to discuss the issue but had no answers as we could not pull out at that time. The contract had already been signed and all payments made. We ended up getting on stage and performing against our will and our principled stand against the state.

All I can remember is white soldiers dancing to lyrics like, "I am a prisoner in my own country," and here and there Lucky would sing derogatory words in Zulu so that they didn't pick up the meaning. We laughed about the incident all the many hours back to Johannesburg, as we were travelling by road and not by air.

In essence I am bringing back these memories to highlight our ruthless and non-appreciative attitude towards our own history, which we should embrace and look after by all means necessary.

I am sure that the industry will honour him posthumously, as usual. I wish I could design my own memorial and funeral programme, and write a will to prevent those who failed to show me love while I was still alive from attend these events to share their heartless condolences crowned with crocodile tears as a VIP pass for the afterparty and media coverage.

Let me not sound angry, but one cannot stop thinking that we all have a time where our lives will come to an end, and we hope that we'll know when this time comes so that we can clean up our acts and clear all our grievances with those with whom we might not see eye to eye.

It is probably all artists' wish that when such a time comes, their burial won't have to rely on donations from charitable parties. This is one thing that I know Lucky will not be subjected to because he was very smart about how he spent and invested his money.

My honest wish is that his soul may rest in peace. Let us respect him like we used to during the apartheid era. Let us not allow democracy to erode our Africanism, but embrace our values.

Eugene Mthethwa performed with Lucky Dube from 1989 until 1995 as keyboard player.


SAfrica reggae star Lucky Dube shot dead

by Isaac Mangena

South African reggae star Lucky Dube, one of the continent's biggest-selling artists, has been shot dead in front of his children during an attempted car hijacking in Johannesburg, police said Friday.

President Thabo Mbeki was among those who paid tribute to Dube, calling him "a really great South African artist", while his killing reignited debate about the levels of crime in the country.

The award-winning artist, who recorded more than 20 albums in a career spanning two decades, was gunned down at close range on Thursday night as he dropped his young son off at a relative's home in the suburb of Rosettenville.

"The child had just got out of the car when unknown men approached him, trying to hijack (the vehicle)," police spokeswoman Captain Cheryl Engelbrecht told AFP.

"He was shot and he died on the scene."

Witnesses said that Dube had tried to speed away from his hijackers but was shot twice at close-range and drove his Opel Corsa into a tree. His daughter, who was also in the vehicle, was uninjured.

Fellow musician Mzwakhe Mbuli, one of the first people on the scene, said the music industry has been robbed of a legend.

"I am devastated ... out of words," Mbuli told AFP. "Lucky Dube's music internationally was a great success story. He was a legend.

"For me it's cold-blooded murder, until investigation proves me otherwise. Crime is out of control. Where is this country heading to? We really need divine intervention," he said.

Dube, who recorded albums in Zulu, English and Afrikaans, was one of the first artists to introduce reggae in South Africa.

According to his official website, Dube endured a tough childhood brought up on his own by his mother after his heavy-drinking father turned his back on his young son.

He started his career in 1982 with the release of a mbaqanga (a Zulu music tradition) album before crossing over to reggae in 1985.

One of his biggest hits came in 1989 with the single "Together as One" which became one of the anthems of the campaign against the whites-only apartheid regime which ruled South Africa until 1994.

Other big hits included "Taxman", "Prisoner", "The Way It Is" and last year's album "Respect".

In an interview with AFP last year, Dube said he was "proud of the progress made by South Africa" since the demise of apartheid.

"Today, we are sitting here, enjoying freedom and everything," he said.

"Of course nobody in South Africa thought things would be like this, because the apartheid era was a very difficult time for every South African."

South Africa is one of the world's most crime-ridden countries, with nearly 20,000 murders recorded in the last year.

Dube's killing was widely condemned by politicians and prompted calls in some quarters for the restoration of the death penalty.

Hailing Dube as "an outstanding South African", Mbeki said his killing underlined the need for unity in the fight against crime.

"This is indeed very, very sad that this happened to an outstanding South African -- an outstanding musician, world renowned," Mbeki told reporters.

"We must ... make a commitment that we shall continue to act together as a people to confront this terrible scourge of crime, which has taken the lives of too many of our people and does so every day."