South African reggae icon Lucky Dube was shot dead in Johannesburg on 18 October 2007 during an attempted carjacking. His spirit will be revived when his former backing band performs in Vhembe.
The group is set to headline the Murida 53rd Birthday Bash, an annual event celebrating the life of popular musician Khakhathi "Murida" Tshisikule. This year's line-up also features top acts including Colbert Mukwevho, Hani Mutele, Gusba Banana, TMan Gavini and Batondy.
The event takes place on 4 October at the Elias Nefale Eco Estate at Ha Mashau. Widely regarded as the biggest birthday celebration in Limpopo, the bash has become a key fixture on the resort's calendar.
Murida confirmed the band's participation, saying it had always been his dream to share a stage with Lucky Dube, his musical hero.
"The time has come that we celebrate this son of the soil. The man has been celebrated and honoured in most African countries and abroad, but not here at home. My birthday celebration will this year be dedicated to reviving the spirit of my hero. The fact that his family band agreed to be here in our province for this revival is a very big blessing for us all. This goes to show that you can kill the man, but you cannot kill the music. His music remains an inspiration to many," he said.
Murida said the band would perform some of Dube's best-known songs as well as their own material.
He added that the venue was expected to be packed, with fans from across the province showing strong interest in the event.
"Join us and the Lucky Dube Band as we jointly celebrate my life and we bring the legend back to life. Come let us celebrate brotherhood in the name of love. It is going to be a family day with activities for all age groups," he said.
Born in Ermelo, Mpumalanga, in 1964, Lucky Dube rose to prominence in the 1980s, inspired by reggae pioneers Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Over his career, he released 23 albums in several South African languages, producing classics such as Rastas Never Die (1984), Think About the Children (1985), Slave (1987), Together as One (1988), Prisoner (1989) and Remember Me (1994).