The South African reggae musician, Lucky Dube, has been shot dead in the commercial capital, Johannesburg.



A police spokeswoman said the artist was dropping his son off in the suburb of Rosettenville on Thursday evening when he was attacked by armed robbers.



His son was already out of the car when he saw what happened, and then ran for help, Capt Cheryl Engelbrecht added.



One of South Africa's most popular artists, Lucky Dube toured the world singing about social problems.



Lucky Dube began his career by singing mbaqanga (traditional Zulu) music and recorded his first album with the Super Soul band in 1982.



He later moved into reggae, producing Rastas Never Die and Think About The Children in 1984. His albums, Slave, Prisoner and Together As One saw him gain first national and then global recognition.



Lucky Dube released his 21st and most recent album, Respect, in April.



NEWS SOURCE:

QUOTE:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7052050.stm

I thought I would be the one breaking this sad news to Connect Uganda as a friend of mine rang me late in the night to tell me of the murder!

Gauteng's police commissioner Perumal Naidoo has hand-picked a team of investigators to track down reggae star Lucky Dube's killers, it was announced on Friday.



"Commissioner Naidoo has expressed his abhorrence at this murder and has appointed an investigation team," said spokesperson Superintendent Eugene Opperman.

"He's got a a lot of confidence in this team, who will do everything possible to identify and arrest those responsible for this.



"Director Charles Johnson, a very experienced senior detective in Gauteng, will now oversee every step of the investigation."



Opperman said the seven-member squad was "rather experienced".



Anyone with information about Dube's murder was asked to contact Crime Stop on 08600-10111 or the police's Crime Line on 32211.





Johannesburg police were on the hunt for three men driving a blue VW Polo believed to have been involved in the botched hijacking and murder of Dube, 43.

President Thabo Mbeki has appealed to all South Africans to confront the "scourge" of crime together after the murder of reggae star Lucky Dube.

She said 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."

"It 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 Ruby World Cup final.

May Dube's soul rest in eternal peace

WHAT A LOSS I`M SURE THAT LUCKY DUBE WILL GO DOWN IN BOOKS OF AFRICAN AND INTERNATIONAL REGGAE MUSIC HISTORY AS THE MOST FAMOUS AND RE KNOWN MUSIC LEGEND OF ALL TIME,HAVING MANAGED SUCCESSFULLY TO BRIDGE THE GAP OF INEQUALITY DURING AND AFTER THE APARTHEID TIMES IN SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH HIS MUSIC.WE WILL ALL MISS HIM I HAPPENED TO HAVE ATTENDED QUIET A COUPLE OF HIS PERFORMANCES AND HE WAS JUST THE BEST IN HIS FIELD.

ONCE AGAIN THE WORLD HAS BEEN ROBBED OF A GALLANT SON THROUGH THE BARREL OF A GUN WHEN WILL THIS EVER COME TO AN END WHERE PEOPLE CAN HAPPILY LIVE WITH EACH OTHER IN PEACE AND TRANQUILITY???? THE SOONER THE GUN MANUFACTURERS REALIZE THIS THE BETTER IT WILL BE FOR EVERY ONE IN THIS WORLD REGARDLESS OF THE NECESSITY OF HAVING ONE.



MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7052050.stm



My heart is crying, my soul is crying. This is a very sad day for Africa. Lucky was a great man. There was a son of Africa, who in his early twenties, got out there to witness God's truth for the sake of a suffering people. He talked to us and brought us together in his meaningful lyrics. He made us happy with his beautiful rythms. He transferred a part of his soul's energy to ours. So he's a part of us. He'll live till the last one of us is gone. Let's remember our such heroes by doing seemingly little things like coming out on this forum and saying a word, to support our community, to enhance our togetherness.



God Bless Africa. Nkosi Sikeleli Africa. Children Of Africa


http://youtube.com/watch?v=H8iZ8jIqrQo

Kwo okuba kuno kulinga okukungubagira omuntu omu mu nyumba essatu. Mike, before the Almighty reveals himself, you reveal yourself and do something.





Now for my good friend Lucky Dube; I've shed tears for you, I love you, you shinning star of our Africa. You brought hope to the hopeless, joy to the sorrowful and love to the forgotten.



I must say I have learned not to just believe anything I'm told. One thing I know for sure, they wouldn't have told us he's gone when he's not. But it's difficult for me to believe it all happened just for a car. Someone, have mercy on our mourning souls. We are in so much pain. Atleast tell us the truth; What really happened to our beloved Lucky Dube? Tell us the truth or leave us alone!!



Africa, when are you ever going to get your act together? Like Lucky said, this is double trouble! Please God, help us!!!!!