Bob Marley 'ressurected'

2004-12-07 16:53

Zenzele Kuhlase

Nelspruit - Legendary reggae star Bob Marley has "risen from the dead" and is touring Mpumalanga.

That, at least, is how two innovative Mozambican brothers are billing their automated sculpture of the Jamaican reggae icon, which includes a built-in juke-box loaded with Marley's hits.

Jimmy, 29, and Zechariah Makuwe, 27, lug the life-size statue from town to town, staging impromptu concerts at taxi ranks and other public spaces, where they charge bystanders R5 for special requests.

They've even played at private parties.

The creative duo came up with the idea after Marley's widow, Rita, visited South Africa in April.

"Marley is dead, but as Rastafarians we believe his spirit lives and that he is still all around us," says Jimmy.

"The idea to resurrect Marley came when we heard that his widow toured South Africa.

"We designed the sculpture, and now we collect up to R200 a day."

The sculpture, of Marley holding a guitar, is made of wood and has 100-watt speakers. It also sports a marijuana spliff, also made of wood, dangling from his mouth.

"It's in character with Bob Marley. Marijuana or dagga is integral to the Rastafarian faith," Jimmy smiles.

The sculpture is so "convincing", that the brothers are forced to pay taxi fees for Marley between their regular performances in Nelspruit, Malelane, Komatipoort, Hazyview, White River, Barberton, Lydenburg, Badplaas and other surrounding towns.

The brothers plan to sell the sculpture for R5 000 before they return to Mozambique.

Marley died on 11 May 1981 after a prosperous career spanning two decades.

- African Eye