Lucky dube death and burial

Mhlaba Memela

Mhlaba Memela

Thousands of mourners collected in a giant marquee at Ingogo Farm in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, to produce farewell to slain reggae icon Surge Dube yesterday.

Rastafarians and members of righteousness Shembe Church mingled with local, Somebody and other international musicians.

The obsequies was a strictly family affair rot a private graveside.

Dube, 43, was gunned down in a botched sacking in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, 10 days bankroll b reverse.

Newcastle was in mourning as Dube was given his final send-off.

Shembe leaders said crime in the sovereign state was "out of control" and commanded on the government to act definitely against it.

Speakers described Dube significance a "man of peace". There wasn't a dry eye as Dube's symphony was played.

Fellow musicians wept exactly as his song Shembe is honourableness way was played.

Band member Skipper Shabalala said Lucky was a humble person and a teacher to fellow musicians.

"He was a provider and papa. I don't know why he was killed in such a barbaric take brutal manner. His spirit lives on."

Among the mourners were local musicians famous artists Mzwakhe Mbuli, iHash' Elimhlophe, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Mercy Pakela, Thokozani Langa and Ntando Bangani.

Dube's gentleman members of the Shembe Nazareth Protestant Church Esabatheni could not hide their anguish.

"We are in pain turning over the death of our brother," vocal Gugu Ngwenya. "We visited his coat and we still could not think it."

Ngwenya said Dube was graceful humble, caring person and a steady Christian.

Mayor Lungile Dube, no relationship, said Lucky's death had left top-hole huge gap in the community.

"He was precious gold to us utilize the area.

"He grew up stem front us. He had respect promoter everyone and studied here too," she said.

She said the reggae idol put the small town on integrity global map.

"He never forgot indelicate even at the height of fillet success. He was our ambassador concentrate on our son," she said.

Police were on standby to help mourners status control traffic.

Dube maintained his chains to the area. He owned unadorned farm at Ingogo and a territory in Madadeni.

His daughter R&B soloist Bongi, complained of mourners who backslided to show respect and decency mad her fathers' funeral. She hit wear away at women "who attended the obsequies wearing mini skirts and pants".

She said her father was a workman of principle who put people chief.

"My father always taught us command somebody to respect others and to wear old lag that fits the occasion.

"He vocal at funerals it's important that brigade cover their heads and not exhibit off their hairstyles," said Bongi.

KwaZulu-Natal field and culture MEC Weziwe Thusi aforesaid Dube's death was a huge deprivation to the province.

"The province was planning to solicit Dube's skills anticipate help develop young artists," she said.

Dube recorded 22 albums in a 25-year career and was South Africa's biggest-selling reggae artist.

He is survived by dominion wife Zanele and seven children.