African Bloggers Pay Tribute To Lucky Dube

Lucky Dube album “Do you ever worry about your house being broken into / Do you ever worry about your car being taken away from you in broad daylight down Highway 54 / Do you ever worry about your wife becoming the woman in black / Do you ever worry about leaving home and coming back in a coffin, with a bullet through your head / So join us and fight this crime and corruption….”

These words are from the South African reggae star, Lucky Dube, who passed away on October 18, 2007 after being shot in Johannesburg, South Africa. African bloggers have responded with great sadness at the death of Africa’s greatest reggae artist, best known for his deeply touching songs about peace, justice and equality.

Adeola Aderounmu mourns his death with these words:

I join millions all over the world to mourn the death of Africa’s reggae legend, Lucky Dube. As a teenager, I listened to Lucky Dube’s I am a Slave. That was good music. There were several other good lyrics from him as well.
That he was gunned down on the streets of Johannesburg re-choes those years when Jo’burg was the most dangerous city to live in. But why a brother would kill an un-armed brother just to steal his car is not clear to me? What else is missing in the motive for this senseless killing? In how many ways is madness displayed globally?
I am deeply hurt by this precious life that has been wasted in South Africa and I sympathise with the children who saw their father being shot to death. What a trauma?
Lucky, you have been a hero and a legend. You have written your name indelibly in the sands of time.
We will not forget you!

Sokari writes: Lucky Dube R.I.P:

Thanks for all the happiness you gave us all with your beautiful music – you are gone but your spirit and music will live on. Bless.

My Afritude is totally devastated:

I am totally devastated that Lucky Dube was murdered this week…shocking… I’m so sad for his family, especially his small children who will now have to grow up without their dad…

How incredibly senseless. The question WHY comes to mind at times like this…..
His music has left a legacy though and as sad as this is, no amount of violence can ever take that away…VIVA LUCKY!

Malawian blogger Clement Nyirenda sees the death of Lucky Dube as an opportunity for the South African government to act on the crime wave:

Through his music, Dube helped in sensitizing the world about the hardships faced by black people in South Africa during the days of apartheid.Very sad indeed to note that the freedom that he firmly campaigned for has created “other freedoms” i.e.crime, abortion,same sex marriages, one of which (crime) has eventually led to his own demise.This just confirms that South Africa is not a safe place to stay, whether you are well-known or not.

His death came at a time when the whole world is watching South Africa as it prepares for the 2010 FIFA World Cup:

This is sending out wrong signals to the world as the country prepares to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.In reaction, President Thabo Mbeki made an appeal to South Africans to confront the scourge of crime together.

Clement concludes:

On the overall, the President, as a number one citizen, must accept that violent crime in South Africa is out of control, and that government's remedies to address this scourge have failed so far. The government must seriously start looking at new ways in its fight against crime. The Police force must be revamped. Relieve the current Police bosses of their duties. Bring in some new people who may come in with new ideas!

A Christian blogger in South Africa asks, “What do we do about it?” He also shares his own experience of violence in the streets of Johannesburg:

Please notice I'm not asking how we feel about the sad murder of Lucky Dube… I know how I feel about it.

I am asking what do we do about it?

Megan and I had only been living in Pretoria for about 3 months when we were involved in an attempted hijacking – thankfully we got away with our lives, but it was a traumatic experience for Megan, Courtney and I. We still don't stop at that set of traffic lights at night. Sadly, about a year later, Megan was a victim of a ‘smash and grab’ incident at the same busy intersection. In broad daylight a man simply walked up to her car window smashed the glass and grabbed her handbag and ran away..

I am sad and shocked that a nation as beautiful as ours should struggle with such violence and crime… Of course I understand why it takes place – the gap between those who have, and those who have not, is still huge! The damage done by Apartheid will be felt for many years to come…

What made me so sad about Lucky Dube's death today is that he was shot in front of his teenage son and daughter while three men tried to hijack his car… Then the police officials in the Johannesburg area report that they will not just put ‘any’ policemen on this case, rather, they have appointed a ‘crack team’ to solve this crime. Isn't it sad that you have to be famous to get good service from the police? What do people who are not famous do?

So, the question is what do we do? What do Christians do?

Gus notes that violent crime in South Africa has nothing to do with race nor class:

Today I feel sick because I know that the murder of Lucky Dube is just the tip of the iceberg of violent crime in this country. I know our history contributes to why we are so mean to each other. I don't think violent crime is racially motivated – or even class discriminative – I think it rests on our general disregard for the sacredness of all life.

Our people live in fear of one another, fear produces adrenalin and more violence; I feel it on the streets when we drive, when people knock on our doors, when loved ones travel home late at night, when I walk my dog in the park, when I activate the alarm system at church that'll call police with guns if anyone breaks in.

Senzeni na? (What have we done?)

The Holy Pigeon responds to his death with a post about the glory of the dead, “The Kurt Cobain Syndrome”:

Lucky Dube is now gone, and another South African entertainment icon falls, murdered, alongside Gito Baloi, Brett Goldin and Taliep Petersen. The ‘South African Bob Marley’ was the face of the reggae genre for over 25 years, beginning with his ironically titled first album Rastas Never Die.
I've been thinking about the glory of the dead. The Kurt Cobain Syndrome. Everyone who's dead is immediately a legend. Because they're dead.

The solution to this madness, writes the Holy Pigeon, is mob justice:

But these things are not tragic for any reason other than that we allow them to happen through inaction. I refuse to grieve anyone but my own ignorant self.
The only way, human animals, is mob justice. Let's drop the negative stigma of the term. To you, the person who thinks with his hands (you know who you are): next time you feel led, calmly assemble an active group, try to get to those responsible before the authorities do, and whatever you do, make it public.

Ramadhani Msangi writes in Swahili:

Ni vigumu kuamini lakini ndivyo ilivyo, kuwa mmoja kati ya watu ambao huwa naamini ni wateule walioletwa duniani kwa ajili ya kuifanya dunia kuwa sehemu inayofaa kuishi na hata kupewa hadhi ya dunia, hatunaye tena.

It is hard to believe but that is the reality; that one of the people I believe have been chosen and sent in this world to make the world a better place is no longer with us.

Borrowing from Lucky Dube’s words, Ray Hartley, the editor of The Times of South Africa, argues that his death will put to an end the belief that it is white South Africans who are victims of violence:

THE Times mourns the shocking death of reggae artist Lucky Dube, who was shot dead in Johannesburg on Thursday night.
Dube was one of this country’s greatest — and most popular artists.
He had a conscience and stood against racism. His song, Different colours, one people included the lines “Look at me you see BLACK/ I look at you I see WHITE/ Now is the time to kick that away.”
His tragic death will hopefully finally kick away the mistaken notion that it is white South Africans who are victims of crime.
On Thursday night, it was Lucky Dube. Tonight it could be anyone anywhere.

Mrembo fell in love with his music after she heard him on the radio Capital FM in Uganda:

His death is hitting me like I knew him personally. My heart weeps for his children. No child should have to see thier parent murdered.
I love his music. He used to tour in Uganda quiet often and was truly loved there. I started really liking him after one of his first visits to Uganda, when I heard him speak on a show called “Desert Island Disks” on Capital FM. I was struck by his intelligence which resonated through the raido waves and thus begun my true love affair with Lucky Dube. I introduced Big Al to him and since then we went on to collect /burn most of his CDs. When I left for the UK, the first tapes I bought to take with me were Lucky Dube tapes. I love his songs and music. My favourite Lucky song is “Exile”.
God bless his family and may He receive your Spirit. His untimely death has earned him a spot in the hall of AFRICAN LEGENDS.

Blog Music Chart starts with the report that his death was not an attempted robbery as it has been widely speculated:

It has since emerged that the cops investigating the murder of international reggae artist, Lucky Dube, believe and are handling the case on suspicions that it was a hit! reports Sunday World tabloid paper this morning. This is because the alleged robbers failed to rob him of anything, his car, phone, wallet… they just shot him and left. Gauteng’s top cop Perumal Naidoo and Charles Johnson (who cracked the high profile Leigh Matthews case) have been assigned to the job.
Rumours are spreading like wildfire that two people who are close ties to Dube are prime suspects at this stage, and will be taken in for questioning after the funeral.

Blog Music Chart concludes with lyrics from his song Crime and Corruption:

It is really sad that the man who has sang to passionately against crime in this country, his life was taken by it:
From the song Crime and Corruption:
Do you ever worry about your house being broken into,
Do you ever worry about your car being taken away from you in broad daylight down Highway 54,
Do you ever worry about your wife becoming the woman in black,
Do you ever worry about leaving home and coming back in a coffin, with a bullet through your head,
So join us and fight this crime and corruption.
I am still reeling from shock!!!

Lastly, Proudly South Africa reminds us of the beuty of his lyrics:

“how long shall you carry that burden on your shoulders? how long shall those tears keep running down your beautiful face? we all have troubles now and again, know what I’m saying? no matter how hard we try, trouble will find us one way or another. people had trouble since the pope was an alter boy. people had worries from when the dead sea was only critical. hear those drums rolling. listen to those guitars skanking. put a smile on your face. don’t let the troubles get you down.”

22 comments

  • Salaon Shabani (from Tanzania

    It doesn’t enter into my mind and believe that you are now gone brother. This is simply tragic and shocking news that will never end to all peace and ‘message from music’ lovers around the world.
    Why didn’t these killers let you spread your message through music to people for a longer time till your soul is taken by some other natural diseases but not by the gunpoint as it has happened to you in your own land.
    Imagine from a mere mbaqanga street dancer to reggae megastar. Lucky Dube you are no more alive but your legacy will always linger and flourish.
    Why and what a tragedy????????
    May all the tears coming out from the eyes of all the people crying around the world curse your killers and make them suffer the most on earth and after their painful death.
    For sure God will pay them for what they have done to you and to the hearts of your fans.
    They usually say the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Lucky Dube and his music stood and will always stand the test of time and provide hope to ones in times of the darkest hours in life through the lyrics and rhythms in his songs.
    Always you will be remembered by current generation and the coming generations through your well composed with full message Reggae Music.
    We never expected you to leave us this early.
    May God rest your soul in peace Rasta!

  • heather gee

    South Africa is such a lovely country with so many wonderful people. Why are there 19,000 ++ murders each year? Lucky Dube’s name will live on – even if his name lives on as a testament to his people to stop killing your fellow man. To his family, friends and fans, my sincere condolences – his name, his words and music still lives…

  • Rene Kamara

    I too wept in grief (as many, many others did) when I heard the news – WHY DO BLACK HEROES DIE SO SOON? I am a white american who (thankfully) grew up in Senegal. My friends and I have always listened to Lucky – over pots of senegalese green tea, at the beach, on camping trips ,and yes- reggae in the bathroom, reggae everywhere!
    The bad news of his death hit me like I knew him personally or something! I have 3 kids and I cannot imagine the pain Lucky’s family is going thru. I mourn for them as well.
    I guess what I am trying to say is that Lucky Dube was not just a son of South Africa, but was loved in every corner of the world. He is now immortal, like Bob, Peter, Joseph Hill and many many others before him.
    JAH LIVE, JAH CHILDREN – RASTAS NEVER DIE!

  • benjamin

    wellis it with great pain and lost that am making this comments about my role model the great legend lucky dube
    lucky’s music hard inspired me in so many ways that i can’t help joining in this fight against those behind his death and also those that are taking delight killing their follow human being for notthing.

    please if there is anyway i can help in bring the culprit to book, rich me through my mail.

  • Doug Emery

    Lucky you provided so many of us growing up on the street hope, love and self respect. I cannot say how much i am saddened by your death but will say you have been a total inspiration and if i can offer even half what you have i will die a happy man.

    Love you lucky please please RIP. Jah Live brotha!

  • black

    The senseless loss of this graet man is heart breaking indeed, all his hard work for peace love and unity and then sudden death by firing squad.. Surely did he desearve this?! Why my dear Lord? Did he desearve such pain and humiliation? And even when so, why infront of his son and daughter? We will never know! But we TRUST that he is now a awaiting his reward in Heaven, together with those other murdered in line of the Lord’s duty. His reward will be no less than that of John the Baptist who was beheaded, Apostle Paul, Apostle Steven who was stoned to death etc. Only then will my heart ever find peace. I am no longer afraid of dieing, for then I will see you again in heaven. Your life was not in vain, for now your music is even more precious than it ever was during your lifetime. Even though you are now gone, just know that your family will never lack in anything.

    RIP my Beloved Lucky Dube

  • […] Frage: Du bist Fan von Bob Marley. Willst du etwas zum Tod des südafrikanischen Reggae-Stars Lucky Dube […]

  • GIDEON D JIMENDA

    I DON’T KNOW WHY SUCH A GREAT LEGEND WILL DIE AT THE TIME HE IS MOST NEEDED TO BRING TO PASS THROUGH SINGING AGAIN THE LOGGING HORNS BETWEEN FOOTBALL STARS OF THE GLOBE.

    PLEASE I WANT YOU TO ENROLL ME TO WRITE THE MUSON EXAMS OF JANUARY 2008.

    THANKS
    GIDEON D JIMENDA

  • Nicholas Phillip

    I am writing all the way form the beautiful island of Grenada(in the Caribbean) where Lucky Dube has performed thrice and thrice times I’ve been to and witness his mega energetic performances. There is no Living reggae artist that can perform like him. He’s known as the best live reggae performing artist in the world. Those f******, that took him away from all of us that loved him, will surely pay dearly.. I wish god could give me the authority to cast judgment on these so-call thugs. I doubt profoundly that god will give me that privilege cause he already knows what am thinking. He was indeed a maestro in the reggae genre. i will never forget “Trinity” as was his high school name from the move Trinity with Terrence Hill. R.I.P MY REGGAE KING, WHEN YOU WERE ALIVE , YOU DIDN’T GET YOUR LOVE. UNGREATFUL SOUTH AFRICANS.

  • Naima Major Berry

    WE were shocked and saddened to hear of Lucky Dube’s murder in SA. My husband from Nicaragua introduced me to Lucky Dube. I knew Reggae but I had not heard Lucky Dube on vinyl or live until Nica gave me a listen. WE had the great good fortune to hear him and his orchestra live in Atlanta. What genius, what music, what poetry, son and dance. What an evening. I had not been so moved by anyone like Robert Nesta marley since he passed away. What a great loss to the world of struggle for peace, but you know what — another one soon come. You cannot murder JAH. The people everywhere need to learn to be real revolutionaries. Then we will stop the robbery and murder of Jah’s great green earth and all its creatures. Let us all remember Lucky Dube not only with our words and tears but with our deeds. We cannot stop living the righteous life. JAH live.

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