"A prophet who sang love and unity"


Written by Louise Umutoni & Clairyce Iribagiza
Page 1 of 2The atmosphere in the house in Bethlehem slum in Kigali is laden with grief and devastation. The members of the reggae band Holy Jah Doves sit staring into emptiness, in disbelief. They have played alongside Lucky Dube on all his visits to Rwanda.
Now, the man who inspired them into singing as well as becoming Rastafarian, is dead. Murdered.“He was a true Rasta,” whispers Kas­­sim Kayenga, on of the band’s guitarists.
“He accepted us as friends and equals immediately. Even though we were nothing next to him.” Then, after a pause, “He was not a proud man.”
The Holy Jah Doves could not believe their luck when they were allowed to play alongside the reggae artist. “I remember playing with Lucky Dube as if it was yesterday,” Kassim says, managing a smile. “It was a great honor for us to stand on stage with the prophet who brought the message of love and unity to the people.”
“He spoke the plain truth on human rights abuse and racism,” puts in Michael Musengimana, also a guitarist in the band. “He died for what he believed in, and there is no better way to die. Now he is in Jah’s hands,” Michael sighs.
For him, Lucky Dube comes second only to Bob Marley, who will always be the father of reggae.
Jesus Kibogo, bass guitarist in the Best Sound Band, another local reggae group who performed with Lucky Dube at the Fespad concert in 2006, describes Lucky Dube as a Pan-African who sought to unite people beyond religious and racial boundaries.
“Lucky Dube was a gifted musician, and as musicians we respected him enormously,” his bandmate drummer Ras Kimeza adds. “Lucky Dube died a hero, and will definitely be remembered all over Africa and the world like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.”
He shuts his eyes, before saying: “We are not angry at the people who killed Lucky; no, we just want to reach out to them and teach them about love, just like Lucky did.”
Fighting to control their emotions, they start singing their favorite song, Reggae Strong. They quickly break off, their voices chocked in their tears.Musician MC Monday is not only devastated by Lucky Dube’s death, but also outraged to hear that he was killed by fellow African.
“This should teach Africans that violence is bad, and we can only lose from it. Look what a great man we have lost to violence!” MC Monday lashes out. “While we should follow his message of love and unity!”
Mc Monday pledges to record a song in memory of Lucky Dube. “Its horrible for Africa to lose someone like him. And to say it was done by Africans! It’s a shame!” exclaims singer Miss Jojo.
Special affinity with Rwanda
It shows that the powerful messages in Lucky Dube’s music appeal not only to the Rastafarian community, but to all Africans. Rwandans might even have a stronger affinity with the man who san unity, love and freedom. Dube holds a special place in the hearts of Rwandans, with songs like Reggae strong, Together as one, Prisoner and the people’s favorite Different colors, which all preached a positive message that people wanted to relate to. After 1994, Dube came on a tour to Rwanda three times.
The public relations manager in the ministry of youth, sport and culture, François Nyangezi, says Rwandans respected Lucky Dube and were enchanted by the message he preached. Stressing that he is speaking on behalf of the whole ministry, he says “we are grieved by the death of this great man, who meant a lot to Rwanda. We are abhorred by the gruesome way that he was killed,” he says.
Nyangezi points out that Lucky Dube also seemed to relate to Rwanda, as he had visited the country on all three occasions he was invited. “This is because the message he preached spoke about Rwandans, and the pain most of them harbored that needed to be healed. He had also promised to come back to finish the work he had started… It is not to be.”
Some try, bravely, to see something positive in the tragedy. Daddy Casanova, for example, although saddened by his death, believes that Lucky Dube has gone to a much better place.
“He died in a terrible way, not the way we expected his life to end,” Casanova says softly. “But Lucky was a Rastafarian, and we believe that we all go to a better place after life. I am sure he is happy wherever he is.