AS I reel from having lost my music mentor Michael Jackson, I remember my friend Lucky Dube who gave me an opportunity to meet Jackson at one of his shows where we were meant to perform.

AS I reel from having lost my music mentor Michael Jackson, I remember my friend Lucky Dube who gave me an opportunity to meet Jackson at one of his shows where we were meant to perform.

People are invaluable, yet the world fails to accept that we are unique, special and irreplaceable . America failed to show Michael Jackson the love and dignity that he gave all of us across the world in his living years. He also broke the black and white love-hate syndrome.

Under apartheid, we were subjected to a dehumanising system that made us feel that being black was a curse, but Jackson made us proud of ourselves .

Now, when others celebrate Elvis Presley in his death, thank God we Africans also have someone bigger than life who we can celebrate in death forever, until the end of time.

During the peak of apartheid we were filled with pride whenever we watched videos and listened to the music of the legendary Jackson, who made dance moves that enthralled us all.

My heart is filled with so much grief, pain and anger because my teen idol is gone. I am not blaming anyone for his death, but I am trying to understand human nature that feels good about another's pain.

I am writing under a dampened spirit and undergoing an emotional journey to the times when I was the neighbourhood Wacko Jacko and there would be no party without my dance rendition of Jackson's moves.

May his soul rest in peace.

Eugene Mthethwa, Vereeniging