Hugh Masekela
Born Hugh Ramapolo Masekela on April 4, 1939, Masekela was a singer, composer, trumpeter, flugelhornist and cornetist.
Masekela produced music that largely reflected the conditions of his environment such as apartheid and oppression. He was largely vocal about the injustices in the South African government and even opted to leave his homeland when 69 people were killed during the Sharpeville Massacre.
Masekela founded the Botswana International School of Music (BISM) which included the Botswana Music Camp – an initiative that enables musicians of all ages and backgrounds to play music together.
Nominated for three Grammy’s and achieving six charting hits, Masekela also advocated for the less fortunate by directing the Lunchbox Fund, a not-for-profit organization that provides meals for students in township schools.
Masekela died on January 23, 2018.
