By Lebogang Seale

 World-acclaimed reggae singer Lucky Dube has been shot and killed in a hijacking.

The incident took place just after 8pm on Thursday night when Dube went to drop off his son at his uncle's house in Rosettenville, southern Johannesburg. Two men approached him and opened fire.

An injured Dube tried to flee but drove his grey Chrysler sedan into a tree and died on the scene. No further details were available as his son, who reportedly witnessed the incident, was still in shock.

Among the first to arrive at the scene were fellow musicians Mzwakhe Mbuli, Ringo Madlingozi and Deborah Fraser.

Mbuli said: "It's a contrast that while the country is preparing itself for the Rugby World Cup final, we are robbed by this tragedy.

"How do you celebrate when you're in mourning? I hope the police get to the bottom of this and arrest the culprits," he said.

According to a witness, the hijackers opened the musician's door and shot him twice.

"Dube tried to drive away and hit a black Opel Corsa and then lost control of his car and hit a tree."

Dube's recording company, Gallo Records, paid tribute to the musician.

"He was a soft, well-spoken man, and a great friend," said Ivor Haarburger, the CEO of the Gallo music group.

Haarburger said Dube was the best reggae performer in the world and that he had bigger following internationally than in South Africa.

"He was huge in (the rest of) Africa, he could draw 40 000 to 50 000 people to a concert," Haarburger said.

He said Dube had recently been spending time overseas, getting his material released and had been talking of a new album. "But we were nowhere near to recording."

Lucky Dube was born on August 3 1964 in Ermelo, Mpumalanga. He launched his career as a mbhaqanga singer in 1979 and switched to reggae in 1984 to express his anger against apartheid.

• This article was originally published on page 1 of The Star on October 19, 2007

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 19.10.2007 01:01

Robot  Villager

# 2 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 19.10.2007 01:01

felix  Villager

# 3 What a wicked way to waste a precious life..:mad: Posted by felix| 19.10.2007 01:23

DoubleWahala  Villager

# 4 Lucky Dube occupies a prominent spot in my Reggae Music collection. Indeed, he will always be remembered for his creativity. May his soul rest in peace. DW Posted by DoubleWahala| 19.10.2007 01:34

Robot  Villager

# 5 The South African reggae musician, Lucky Dube, has been shot dead in the c...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 19.10.2007 01:56

SOC Okenwa  Villager

# 6 Oh my God! So Lucky is gone, gone too soon to the great beyond? My heart ached as I read this horrible report. We grieve for you Lucky "reggeaman" Dube! The violence in South Africa has claimed yet another resourceful African whose music portrayed our twisted history, the ills in our societies. Adieu Lucky! May your soul rest in peace!! Adieu brother!! Posted by SOC Okenwa| 19.10.2007 02:39

ttonjo  Villager

# 7 Oh my God. what a tragedy! May his soul rest in perfect peace. In fact, this world is vanity, so says the holy book: "Vanity upon, vanity, all is vanity." My sympathy goes to his family in particular and Africans, in general. Another great lost to black race in general. What a waste!!!. My condolence to your family. Adieu my bother. May your soul rest in perfect peace!!! That reminds me of one of the great late Marvin Gaye's songs: What's going on? Someone somewhere recently nearly took the life of one of our own artiests, Tuface, but that God sparing his life. What actually is going in, or may I say, happening to black race? Our youths were facing violent deaths, 21, just yesterday in UK. What is really going? Would somebody answer me PLEASE. Posted by ttonjo| 19.10.2007 02:53

ttonjo  Villager

# 8 my Heart Bleeds For You, Mother Africa. Wake Up And Safe Thy Children From Calamity. Wake Up Africa, Wake Up Black Race. Posted by ttonjo| 19.10.2007 02:57

calist  Villager

# 9 Africa mourns again for one of it own. For how long must we continue to treat one another this way? Africa for how long? Safe journey Lucky. Posted by calist| 19.10.2007 03:37

OluSegun  Villager

# 10 The drum rolls, The horns blaring, The melodious piano chord, And the twang of the guitar, The energetic dance... Now forced.... To play till fade... Not on the Stage, But on the street of somewhere, Not for an applause or even encore, To be still forever.. Thought he had friends everywhere See the foes... Now here Sleep good brother! Your attackers won't have theirs In a long while...forever Posted by OluSegun| 19.10.2007 03:42

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