SOUTH AFRICA: Tributes continue to pour in for murdered Lucky Dube

Pretoria – Tributes are continuing to pour in for one of South Africa’s foremost music icons Lucky Dube, who was killed in an alleged botched hijacking on Thursday.

Reggae artist, Lucky Phillip Dube was apparently shot and killed by would-be hijackers in Rosettenville, Johannesburg.

Numerous fans and fellow musicians of Mr Dube have expressed shock at the loss of such a great South African.

Government described him as a prolific artist, a legend and an icon in the music industry. “We have all suffered yet another loss with the brutal and senseless murder of Lucky Dube.

“Mr Dube’s deep sense of patriotism was a prominent feature of his music career.

“For more than two decades he confronted pertinent social and political issues through his music, bringing to the fore the pain and suffering of many South Africans,” government said in a statement.

Mr Dube must not only be remembered for his music, but also for the role he played in uniting this country through that music, the statement said.

In his message of condolences, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele said South Africa had lost one of its greatest international ambassadors. He had accomplished a lot and rose from humble beginnings to be at the top of his chosen art.

“For more than 20 years we saw ourselves in his lyrics and we used his inspiration to dream of a brighter future for our country and the world,” said Premier Ndebele.

Northern Cape Premier Dipuo Peters said the senseless murder of Mr Dube must galvanise everyone in the country to ensure their neighbourhoods are no go areas for such criminals.

“As government calls on us to mobilise ourselves and create safer communities, it is important that we work even harder to bring perpetrators of such heinous crimes to book.

“This must put impetus on all of us to ensure that we root out the scourge of crime where we live once and for all,” she said.

Mr Dube released his first reggae album in 1984 before touring the world and sharing the stage with artists such as Maxi Priest, Sinead O’Connor, Peter Gabriel, Michael Jackson, Seal, Ziggy Marley, Celine Dion, Sting and other.

He also won over 20 local and international awards for his music and videos. Hits including Taxman, Prisoner, The Way It Is, Victims, Trinity and many others will be remembered all over the world. – BuaNews

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