Audio Attachment Listen to Black Rasta on the November 30 charity in honour of Lucky Dube.

Thousands bade an emotional farewell on Sunday to Lucky Dube, whose murder in an apparent botched carjacking stunned even a nation hardened to violent crime.


Thousands of fans bade an emotional farewell on Sunday to South Africa's top reggae star Lucky Dube, whose murder in an apparent botched carjacking some 10 days ago stunned even a nation hardened to violent crime.

Rastafarians and members of the African Shembe Christian church to which Dube belonged were prominent in the crowds who thronged to his rural home of Ingogo Village for his funeral.

Local musicians and fans from across Africa sang hymns and paid tribute to South Africa's biggest-selling reggae singer and one of the country's most successful artistes.

His wife Zanele and children broke down in tears as one of Dube's best-known songs played over the loudspeaker at the public ceremony on his farm near the remote village of Ingogo, about 250 km (160 miles) southeast of Johannesburg.

The internationally acclaimed singer, who recorded 22 albums in English, Zulu and Afrikaans and won more than 20 awards in a 25-year entertainment career, was then buried in his garden in a private family ceremony.

The 43-year-old was shot dead in front of his children in a Johannesburg suburb on October 18. Five men have been arrested.

Shocking murder

	Lucky Dube: The world winces at his death.

The high-profile killing prompted new calls for a crackdown on violent crime in South Africa, which has one of the highest crime rates in the world.

According to Reuters, police figures show there were nearly 20,000 murders in the year to the end of March, 2.4 percent up on the year before. The number of rapes, carjackings and assaults also remained high.

In Ghana, Rastafarians plan a charity show on November 30, where Lucky’s music would be played by live bands. Monies to be raised at the concert would be sent to support Lucky’s family.

According to Black Rasta of HITZ FM, Lucky may have made millions, but it was the duty of believers to show their commitment to the faith.

(You can listen to Black Rasta in the attached audio as he tells Joy News’ Israel Laryea why Ghanaian Rastas stayed away from Lucky’s funeral.)