Who is Lucky Dube?
Lucky Dube was a legendary South African reggae singer and Rastafarian. The late musician is known for his insightful lyrics and rhythm. He earned the Best Selling African Musician Prize at the 1996 World Music Award.
Lucky Dube’s full name is Lucky Philip Dube. He was named “Lucky” by his mother because she considered his birth fortunate after many failed pregnancies. Dube was born on August 3, 1964, in Emelo, Transvaal (now Mpumalanga).
He was born as one of three children. The reggae superstar was raised by his mother and grandmother as his parents divorced before he was born. Lucky Dube was murdered on October 18, 2007, by robbers trying to steal his car. He was 43 years old at the time of his death.
Lucky Dube has two siblings named Thandi and Mandla.
Lucky Dube’s parents
According to reports, Lucky Dube’s parents were separated before his birth and he was raised by his mother and grandmother. His mother named him “Lucky” because he was born after she had lost another child. Lucky Dube later spent most of his childhood with his grandmother who he described as his “greatest love”.
Lucky Dube’s siblings
Lucky Dube has two siblings, Patrick Mandla and Thandi Dube. Detailed information about them is scarce at this time.
Lucky Dube’s death
Lucky Dube died on October 18, 2007, at the age of 43. He was killed by armed robbers in Rosettenville, a Johannesburg suburb, shortly after dropping two of his seven children off at their uncle’s house. According to reports, the late musician was driving his Chrysler 300C, which the robbers were after.
Dube was shot dead by the carjackers who did not recognize him and thought that he was Nigerian. Five men were arrested in connection with the murder, and three of them were tried and found guilty on March 31, 2009. Two of the men attempted to escape and were caught. Dube’s killers were sentenced to life in prison.
Lucky Dube’s marriage and wedding
Before his death, Lucky Dube was married to Zanele Mdluli Dube. They were married for a significant period and had two children together. They maintained a private life away from the public eye and not a lot of details are known about their marriage.
About Lucky Dube’s wife – Zanele Mdluli Dube
Zanele Mdluli Dube is popularly known as the wife of late South African reggae musician Lucky Dube. Exact details about when Lucky Dube and Zanele met and got married are scarce at this time but they had two children together.
Lucky Dube had other kids from other women.
About Lucky Dube’s girlfriends
Information about Lucky Dube’s romantic relationships and the names of his girlfriends and baby mamas are not known to the public. Despite his fame, the late musician was known for being a private person who always guarded his personal life.
About Lucky Dube’s first wife
According to reports, Lucky Dube was initially married to a woman named Thobekile Ngcobo in 1989 before he got married to Zanele Mdluli (his second wife).
About Lucky Dube’s children
According to available reports, Lucky Dube had seven children in total. However, only two of Lucky Dube’s children are known publicly. Information about the other five children is very scarce.
Lucky Dube’s two known children are named Nkulee Dube and Thokozani Dube. There are speculations that the two of them were the ones in the car with Dube at the time of his death.
About Nkulee Dube – Lucky Dube’s daughter
Lucky Dube’s daughter, Nkulee Dube is an ethno-reggae singer. She also fuses soul and jazz in her songs. Nkulee Dube is often remarked to be walking in her late father’s footsteps. She was a backup singer and dancer for the late Lebo Mathisa and Ntando Bangani. Nkulee Dube was also part of her late father’s performing band “One People”.
Nkulee has performed at major festivals across Africa, Europe, the USA, Australia, and the South Pacific. She was awarded the Most Promising New Entertainer at the International World Reggae Music Awards. Her debut solo album “My Way” was critically acclaimed. She reportedly has a new album titled “The Journey”.
Nkulee Dube is like her father – not a lot of information is publicly available about her personal life and relationships.
About Thokozani Dube’s – Lucky Dube’s son
Lucky Dube’s son Thokozani Dube is also a musician like his father and sister. He is fondly referred to as “TK”. In addition to singing, Thokozani Dube also owns a production company called “Different Colours Production” based in Johannesburg.
Like his sister, information about Thokozani Dube’s personal and marital life is scarce in the media.
