ENTERTAINMENT: South African Reggae Star Lucky Dube Shot Dead

Lucky Dube was a musical staple for my Peace Corps group when we were in southern Africa in the late 80s. And his album, Slave, and his songs, "Together as One" and "Different Colours - One People", is a mainstay in my mp3 player. - OlderMusicGeek

Fans across the world are mourning the South African reggae star, Lucky Dube, who has been shot dead.

Alongside Bob Marley, Lucky Dube was thought of as one of the great reggae artists - singing about social problems.

He was also one of the apartheid regime's most outspoken critics.

President Thabo Mbeki is attending the final and took time to pay tribute to the dreadlocked reggae star before he jetted off to France.

"It's indeed very very sad that this happens to an outstanding South African, an outstanding musician - world renowned," he said.

The BBC has been inundated with thousands of text and email messages paying tribute to the singer.

"I am a 27-year-old black South African girl. I have dreadlocks and I love reggae music so much and I am proud to be who I am, being black and African. I will miss Lucky Dube, you are an inspiration to many of us," Sbongile Diko in Durban wrote.

But the tributes have been worldwide - especially from Africa.

A link to the complete BBC article

NPR remembrance of Lucky Dube

BBC Network Africa on Lucky Dube

BBC readers' reaction to Lucky Dube's death

BBC report on Lucky Dube as a singing peacemaker