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The Legendary Journey Of Lucky Dube: By Tambaya Julius
Lucky Dube, widely regarded as South Africa’s most successful reggae artist, left an indelible mark on the music industry. With a career spanning decades, he became an international icon by blending powerful messages with captivating rhythms. His extraordinary journey, cut short in 2007, remains an inspiration to music lovers worldwide.
Early Life And Musical Roots
Born Lucky Philip Dube on 3rd August 1964 in Ermelo, South Africa, he was raised by his grandmother alongside two siblings. Despite humble beginnings, Lucky exhibited a passion for music early in life.
He began performing mbaqanga, a traditional South African music genre that fuses Zulu music with jazz and contemporary styles.
In 1981, Dube recorded his first of six mbaqanga albums, quickly establishing himself as a talented artist in this genre. These early works reflected his cultural heritage, offering a vibrant mix of traditional sounds that resonated deeply with local audiences.
Lucky Transition To Reggae
By the mid-1980s, Lucky Dube took a bold step in his career by transitioning to reggae, a genre that would define his legacy.
His first reggae album, Rastas Never Dies (1984), carried a powerful message against South Africa’s apartheid system a policy that enforced racial segregation.
Although the South African government banned the album, its influence couldn’t be silenced. In 1988, his song “Together as One” broke barriers when a white radio station played it, despite the apartheid regime’s restrictions. The song became an international sensation, catapulting Dube into global stardom.
Global Recognition And Success
Lucky Dube’s global appeal soared in the 1990s. His 1993 album Victims sold over one million copies worldwide, solidifying his place among reggae’s greatest. By blending thought-provoking lyrics with irresistible melodies, Dube reached audiences far beyond Africa.
In 1996, he received a prestigious award at the World Music Awards for being the African artist with the highest album sales. He toured extensively during this time, performing alongside renowned artists such as Peter Gabriel, Sinéad O’Connor, Sting, Céline Dion, Maxi Priest, and even Michael Jackson.
His concerts were not just performances but a unifying experience, spreading messages of love, peace, and equality.
Legacy Of Albums And Impact
Lucky Dube’s discography is a testament to his versatility and commitment to addressing social issues. Over his career, he recorded more than 20 albums in Zulu, Afrikaans, and English, appealing to a diverse audience.
His final reggae album, Respect, released in 2006, highlighted themes of dignity, resilience, and hope—values that defined his life and work.
Tragic End Of A Musical Legend
On 18th October 2007, Lucky Dube’s life was tragically cut short when car thieves attempted to steal his vehicle in Rosettenville, Johannesburg.
The incident shocked the world, leaving millions of fans mourning the loss of a man whose music had transcended borders and barriers.
A Lasting Legacy
Lucky Dube’s influence endures, not just as a musician but as a cultural icon who fought against injustice through his art. His songs continue to inspire new generations, reminding us of the power of music to bring about social change.
From his early days performing mbaqanga to becoming a global reggae legend, Lucky Dube remains a symbol of hope, unity, and resilience.
Aides, Allies Disown Him, Say You’re a Traitor, We’re not Leaving PDP
Barely two weeks after his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), crisis has enveloped the political camp of a member of the House of Representatives for Obokun/Oriade federal constituency in Osun State, Oluwole Oke.
Indeed, these are not the best of times for him as his defection to the APC is eliciting rejection from his close circles and constituency.
His key allies who he groomed into politics and government positions have rejected his calls on them to join him to defect to the APC.
A source said that in the last few days, key aides and allies of the lawmaker have rejected his movement to the APC, describing it as a political tragedy.
“With the way he betrayed PDP, Oluwole Oke is like the proverbial Leopard that can never change the spots on its body. He will also betray the APC. We are staying back in PDP while severing political links with him”, one of his allies, Bamidele Johnson said.
Some of his allies were said to have openly declared that the defection marks a political waterloo for the 6th term legislator.
For instance, some of Oke’s allies in his Local Government scorned his move as “a decision borne out of greed and selfishness.”
One of them described him as “an ingrate who betrayed a party on whose platform he got married in life as a lawmaker and on whose platform he gained all his material riches.”
The Northern Youths Consultative Forum for Justice (NYCJ) has urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State, citing a complete breakdown of governance, law, and order.
In a statement issued on Monday in Kano, NYCJ President Dr Sanusi Rano described the situation in Zamfara as “organised abandonment of duty” by elected officials.
“What we are witnessing in Zamfara is not governance. It is betrayal of the people,” Rano said, pointing to the absence of a functional state House of Assembly and allegations linking officials to criminal activities.
The group highlighted the suspension of 10 lawmakers who spoke out against the deteriorating security situation, arguing that their removal has left Zamfara without a legally recognised legislative body.
“This is a dictatorship of silence,” said Rano, adding that the lack of checks and balances has deepened the state’s crisis.
“The same hands that should protect Zamfara are profiting from its destruction,” Rano stated.
Calling for decisive action, the group demanded the appointment of a non-partisan administrator to rebuild the state’s institutions.
“If this is not done now, Zamfara risks becoming a permanent state of anarchy, which threatens our democracy,” Rano warned.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday, sentenced the husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Nwachukwu was found guilty of culpable homicide resulting in the death of the deceased ( his wife) on April 8, 2022.
The judge held that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022 by the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), on behalf of the Federal Government, on a 23-count charge .
The charge was on culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, among others.
In the course of trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two children of the late Osinachi, who testified as fourth prosecution and fifth prosecution witnesses, PW4 and PW5 respectively.
The prosecution also tendered 25 documents as exhibits before the court.
The defendant testified for the defence and further called four other witnesses and tendered four exhibits in his defence.
Shortly before sentencing, the defendant, counsel , Reginald Nwali, in his allocutus pleaded with the court to be lenient in its judgment.
Similarly, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to give force to the law as stipulated.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, while he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13, and 18.
The court sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment on Count 10, three years imprisonment in Count 11, while he was fined the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7 respectively. (NAN)