Remembering People’s reggae star Lucky Dube as Gallo dedicates two weeks in his honour
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
I remember the occasion very well. The Braamfontein Stadium had a tiny but a fervent crowd. The crowd ignored the incessant rain that drenched us, threshed us, leaving some of us wondering whether the widely held belief in African societies, that is that if it rains, it means blessings –applied to us that very moment. I could see predominant Johannesburg faces in the crowd that danced as if there was no tomorrow. Come rain or sun. And the artist on stage was a professional personified. The small number of people that attended the event did not deter him.
He went on and did his job as if there was no tomorrow. Belting out familiar reggae tunes that made him a reggae icon of southern Africa. It was as If he knew that a few days later, he was going to be no more. A criminal’s bullet took him away in darkness of the night somewhere south of Johannesburg. That left many wondering what went into the minds of those scoundrels. Lucky Dube was harmless. A nice fellow really. A gifted musician who touched the hearts of many and tickled the intellect of even more. In South Africa. In Southern Africa. In the rest of the African continent, and as far as Jamaica and beyond, with his catchy, socially conscious lyrics. Why did he have to die, and die that way in particular? Many were left with these questions. But the reality soon dawned that the People’s Regae Star was gone. Gone into the other World where he can no longer sing for us, the living beings. No more.
Dube was killed on October 18, 2007. However his spirit lives on among his fans, and there are many of them throughout the world, who attended his concerts, just like what I did in Macufe that year with that small crowd whose shoes were left muddy. But they did not care. In that stadium that hardly had more than 200 people on that day when he performed. But the way they responded to his music was hysterical. And boy did he perform like a madman who had just discovered that the mike amplifies sound, and never wanted to let go of it.
Encouragingly, his record company Gallo, decided to honour one of the best artists in the stable this year. This very month of his demise. This will of course not bring Dube back, but will certainly make his fans happy. Hopefully, they will finally find closure to those several questions they asked after his cold blooded slaying in the streets of Rosetenville, south of Johannesburg.
And to remember Lucky Dube here is statement that Gallo has released:
“Wednesday October 18th marked 16 years since the untimely demise of one of South Africa’s greatest musical stars, Lucky Dube. In light of this, Gallo Music will pay homage to the musical giant over the next two weeks.
Across a storied 25-year career, Lucky Dube released 22 albums with the aim of conscientising society. Having started out as a Mbaqanga artist, Dube embraced reggae and used his music and lyrics as a platform to break down racial barriers. His message of hope and unity helped bridge the divides in South Africa, Africa and around the world.
Amid a global focus on South Africa’s crime problem during the time of Dube’s tragic passing in 2007, the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup in France on 20 October, only two days after Dube’s death. A saddened President Thabo Mbeki believed that a World Cup triumph by the Boks would be a fitting tribute to the memory of Dube.
Coming full circle with the Boks currently competing for another World Cup title in France, the transformation within the Springbok team represents Dube’s dream of a nation embracing its diversity. Coupling that with staunch support for captain Siya Kolisi and his teammates from across the nation’s demographics, both the make-up and reception of the Boks in 2023 would warm Dube’s heart.
The evolution of the national rugby team mirrors South Africa’s progress since the apartheid era, and is a reminder that personal stories are catalysts for change on a broader scale. Lucky Dube’s music will once more soundtrack these positive developments, as the Springboks are the epitome of his message on songs like “Together As One” and “Different Colours, One People”
Though time has passed, Dube’s heartfelt expressions continue to echo across social, political and cultural spheres. “The time is right now in South Africa for people to come together,” he said all those years ago, and this plea will be heeded as the country gets behind the Boks once more.
Different Colours, One People
Lucky Dube
Breaking those barriers
All over the world was not an easy thing
Yesterday your mouth was shut, yeah
Couldn’t make a sound, eh boy
But it’s such a good feeling today
When I can hear them from across the ocean, singing this song
That the whole world should be singing
All the time
Different colours (One people)
Different colours (One people)
Repeats….
Hey you government
Never try to separate the people Hey you politician
Never try to separate the people.
They were created in the image of God
And who are you to separate them
Bible says He made man in his image,
But it didn’t say black or white.
Look at me, You see black
I look at you, I see White
Now is the time to kick that away
Join me in my song
Different colours (One people) Different colours (We are one people) Repeats…
Hey you government
Never separate the people
You politician
Never try to separate the people here Hey man, hey man,
Never try to separate the people
Some were from America – We were from South Africa
Some were from Japan – We were from China
Some were from Australia – We were from the UK
Some were from Zimbabwe – We were from Ghana
Some were from Jamaica – We were from Russia
Some were from A-ha-ha-ha…
Different colours (One people)
Different colours (One people)
Different colours – We are one people
Repeats.”
Listen To ‘Different Colours, One People’ Here
Find Lucky Dube On:
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