JOHANNESBURG , South Africa ( CNN ) -- Reggae legend Lucky Dube was remembered Wednesday as a music icon whose death last week in a carjacking robbed South Africa of one of its brightest stars . Reggae star Lucky Dube was much loved by his fellow South Africans . About a thousand people packed a memorial service for Dube held at Johannesburg 's Bassline Jazz Club . Another thousand watched the service on large screens outside . `` It 's a sad moment in my life , '' said one fan outside the music venue . `` To many people , he inspired and uplifted their lives . '' Dube , 43 , was killed during a carjacking last Thursday as he dropped his children off at a relative 's house . He was one of South Africa 's most famous musicians and had toured extensively around the world during a 25-year career . His sudden death shocked and saddened the country just as it was preparing to cheer on its rugby team at the World Cup final . Police said Tuesday that five men had been arrested in the case . `` Today we are here to mourn , but we are also here to celebrate an icon , '' said Sipho `` Hotstix '' Mabuse , a fellow South African musician who spoke during the service . He said Dube was `` someone who made us proud as South Africans through his music , his spirituality . '' Mabuse was one of a string of speakers -- including Dube 's brother , Job Dube -- to pay their respects at the service . Written messages of condolence from musician Peter Gabriel and various African presidents were read aloud and Dube 's former bandmates played two reggae songs . A group from Dube 's church sat on the floor at the front of the club and occasionally sang and danced . South Africa is one of the most dangerous societies in the world . Figures from the South African Police Service show that from April 2006 to March 2007 , more than 19,000 South Africans were murdered , more than 52,600 people were raped , and nearly 13,600 people were carjacked . If there was any anger in the crowd , it was n't apparent -- though one Rastafarian called for a return of the death penalty for the carjackers . Ivor Haarburger , the chief executive of Gallo Music Group , called Dube 's death `` senseless '' and `` disturbing . '' `` His great spirit has been taken from us . It is a loss felt by millions of people , '' he said . E-mail to a friend .
South African reggae legend Lucky Dube remembered at a memorial service . Lucky Dube , one of country 's favorite musicians , killed by carjackers last week . Score: 7