Sunday, April 09, 2017

CRIME MADE IN SOUTH AFRICA


Lucky Dube: A peaceful, non-violent musician who died in a 'Crazy World.'


Lucky Dube: A peaceful, non-violent musician who died in a 'Crazy World.' 

Dedicated to Lucky Dube and Kwesi Hudson



During the Apartheid era, South Africans didn't only suffer grim terror and brutalities but also institutionalized racism, segregation, and discrimination. Apartheid was a weapon that took its toll on South Africans both physically and psychologically.


Plagued by medical genocide Aids, after Apartheid, South Africa is now listed as one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Murder, armed robbery, and muggings rule the streets of cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Durban.

Dr. Carswell's escape from Uganda to South Africa after deliberate AIDS infection.



The reality of Allan Paton's 'Cry My Beloved Country' has overshadowed the country, and disappointed South Africans, expecting the flow of milk and honey after the fall of Apartheid, are pouring their anger and frustration on immigrants.

September last year, the Independent newspaper reported that South Africa's murder rate increased by 4.9 percent in the last year, to more than 50 people killed every day. In total, there were 18,673 homicides in the 12 months to March 2016, official statistics show. This is up from 17,805 in the previous year.

The brutal murder of Lucky Dube 


On October 18, 2007, just three years after interviewing Lucky Dube, the South African reggae legend, the reggae world received the most devastating news of the brutal murder of the musician.

Lucky Dube, everyone knows that was a man who never encourages violence in his music but he met his violent death in a 'Crazy World,' a remarkable song he composed.

On the hunt for a Chrysler to hijack, Lucky Dube drove and stopped near the three armed robbers later identified as S'fiso Mhlanga, Ludwe Gxowa, and Mbuti Mabe. They attacked Lucky Dube and some shots were fired.

He wants to flee the scene but crashed his car and died instantly. Till now many still can't get over the death of Lucky Dube.  The United Nations’ latest report on crime shows South Africa has halved its murder rate, but still remains one of the most violent countries in the world for homicide.


The killing of my cousin, Kwesi Hudson

The violence in South Africa is indeed out of control. On Sunday, January 29, thirty minutes after midnight, Mr. Kwesi Hudson, the manager of the Sakhumzi restaurant in Vilakazi Street, Soweto, was shot dead during an attempted robbery, the Gauteng police confirmed on Monday.

The marketing manager of the restaurant, Archie Tsoku, confirmed that the restaurant was already closed when three men demanded to be let in. “That is when Kwesi, as a manager, tried to explain and apologize that the restaurant had just closed.”

Archie said the men demanded to check if all doors were really locked, and that is when Kwesi took a walk with them towards the door. “Kwesi was a very patient man and he did as they asked.

“They seemed to have reached an understanding and were on their way out when one of them pulled out a gun and fired two shots at Kwesi.

“One hit him in the upper abdomen and the other in the head as he lay on the floor,” Archie said staff who were waiting for their shuttle ran for their lives. “Neighbours who saw the incident claimed the three men ran to a white microbus that had three other men inside.

“This is our second robbery. We had another one last November, he said. “We are not the only place that has been attacked on this street. “Other businesses have been robbed. It is starting to frustrate us,” said Archie.

Sakhumzi Maqubela, the owner of the restaurant, said he was saddened because he had worked with Kwesi for 10 years. Captain Kay Makhubela of the SAPS confirmed a case of murder had been opened. Police are hunting for the gang.

Mr. Kwesi Hudson, since both of us, is in the same age group, had been very close to me throughout my youthful days. His father, the late Mr. K.B. Hudson, my mother's (Nancy Hudson) brother, was the first Ghanaian Marine Radio Officer. Kwesi Hudson's sister is Kate Hudson, a well-known journalist at the Daily Graphic, in Tema, Ghana.

A past student of Tema Secondary School, Kwesi Hudson was one of the brilliant students' teachers were proud of. Like a teacher, he thought me many things, including mathematics. During long-term vacation, we worked together at Lever Brothers Ghana Limited at Tema. About seven years ago, he visited his sisters in London and I took the opportunity to see him.

It was one of the happiest moments in my life when I saw Kwesi because the last time we saw each other was in our twenties. We had a lengthy discussion about interesting events that occurred during those good old days.  I have lost a great cousin.

For his kindness, devotion, and selfless support, Kwesi Hudson will always be remembered.