South African Jazz legend Hugh Masekela has died on Tuesday in Johannesburg after a long battle with prostate cancer.
The family of the 78-year-old musician confirmed his death in a statement which said he passed peacefully surrounded by his family.
No more pain! ?? pic.twitter.com/aSOfJH0HLh
— Hugh Masekela (@hughmasekela) January 23, 2018
Hugh Masekela has been battling the disease since 2008 and underwent eye surgery in March 2016 when the cancer spread. He also had another surgery in September 2016 after another tumour was discovered.
Below are some reactions from friends, fans and celebrities on social media.
A baobab tree has fallen, the nation has lost a one of a kind musician with the passing of Jazz legend bra Hugh Masekela. We can safely say bra Hugh was one of the great architects of Afro-Jazz and he uplifted the soul of our nation through his timeless music. #RIPBraHughMasekela pic.twitter.com/JVy47GA6aU
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) January 23, 2018
In 1954 Father Trevor Huddleston gave Bra Hugh Masekela his first trumpet from Louis Armstrong & asked Uncle Sauda to teach him basics, the rest became a colourful history…
A legend through and through…#HughMasekela pic.twitter.com/cLL94Pov7r
— Mathetha Mokonyama (@MathethaM) January 23, 2018
Sincere and warmest condolences to the family and loved ones of Legendary Jazz Musician Hugh Masekela. His contribution to music will live forever. May his soul Rest In Peace. [Image source: Getty Images] pic.twitter.com/S9tEOy88F6
— Dr Dlamini Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) January 23, 2018
Woke to the sad news this morning of the passing of a South African legend, Hugh Masekela. What a life! Thank you for the music,RIP ??
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) January 23, 2018
South Africa legendary jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela, leading figure in antiapartheid, has died aged 78 in Johannesburg #RIPHughMasekela pic.twitter.com/y0Tvg4nbO0
— Aisha Dabo™ (@mashanubian) January 23, 2018
R.I.P to the LEGEND Hugh Masekela
Thank You For Your Light. pic.twitter.com/DBKwbplk1d— Africa Film Society (@AfricaFilmSoc) January 23, 2018
RIP Bra Hugh Masekela. Another legend is gone but we’ll always remember you through your music.? pic.twitter.com/Ety4JEuLSG
— RaisedInAfrica (@paballo_patsa) January 23, 2018
“I think it is incumbent on all human beings to oppose injustice in every form.”
— Hugh Masekela#RIPHughMasekela— misunderstood (@misconstruedude) January 23, 2018
Rest In Perfect Peace honourable Hugh Masekela.
You will never ever be forgotten….R.I.P
— KE SHARP (@danielmarven) January 23, 2018
Rest In Peace Uncle Hugh Masekela ?? Your contribution to our industry will forever be remembered ?????? #RIPhughmasekela pic.twitter.com/KPFvtqrV6a
— SHIMZA (@Shimza01) January 23, 2018
Old soul, gentle genius. Rest well, Hugh Masekela. Your wines are in God’s cellar.
— Lexis (@niilexis) January 23, 2018
The Legend Hs Fallen Hugh Masekela. RIP Bra Hugh. pic.twitter.com/woqh0iW3io
— TheRealTopDAwg?? (@iamVentWELL_SA) January 23, 2018
ANC SHOCKED AND SADDENED BY THE PASSING OF MUSICAL GENIUS HUGH MASEKELA #RIPHughMasekela pic.twitter.com/i50LzJZnwV
— African National Congress (@MYANC) January 23, 2018
The passing of Hugh Masekela is not only aligned to losing a music legend, but it is also loss of a freedom fighter,a man who represented freedom expressed mainly through his music. RIP.
— Basssik_soul (@Basssikk) January 23, 2018
Deeply saddened by the passing of iconic Hugh Masekela. A legend who united South Africa and the world through music. RIP Bra Hugh, heartfelt condolences to family and loved ones. #RIPHughMasekela ❤?? pic.twitter.com/35Ci5Yd7RB
— Ulrich J van Vuuren (@UlrichJvV) January 23, 2018
R.I.P Bra Hugh Masekela. Thank you for being such an inspiration and an icon that transformed South Africa’s musical landscape. Your magnetic notes shall live on forever.? pic.twitter.com/CA3fGqAVaW
— The Plug Mag (@ThePlugSA) January 23, 2018
2018 is not making it any easier, first it was Robbie Malinga and now it’s Hugh Masekela
“Kufa luphi udosi lwakho na?” #RIPHughMasekelapic.twitter.com/kU1ogR1QV4
— S’thembiso Gamede (@StheeReloaded) January 23, 2018
I love the pictures that people are posting with Bra Hugh Masekela…please don’t stop. He is a national monument.
— Anele Mdoda (@Anele) January 23, 2018
Part 2) ”…will probably be ‘they say we used to be Africans very long ago.’” – Bra Hugh Masekela
The hippest cat. The G.O.A.T. What a privilege to have lived in his time. Rest In Power Bra Hugh . Siyabonga. We love you. #RIPBraHugh
❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/qBc6ab63EA
— Thandi Ntuli (@ThandiNtuli) January 23, 2018
Rest in peace Hugh Masekela,one of the best to ever do it! pic.twitter.com/bGR5NZQ9si
— Pye Waw (@pyewaw) January 23, 2018
R.I.P Legendary Hugh Masekela
You’re music will forever be in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/w9szYmmDod— #Majita (@TBanSA) January 23, 2018
Dear Assupol
We don’t want a replacement for Hugh Masekela on your ads. Please refrain from airing your ads during #Skeemsaam for a year, just to show respect. #Sizilile
Regards
Jake pic.twitter.com/beTE3rukbH— Thanayi? (@1st_Vince) January 23, 2018
Saddened to hear about the death of Bra Hugh Masekela. He was one of the best musical geniuses in South Africa. Let’s celebrate the life of this legend with all the memories he has left us through his music. Vhalale nga mulalo. #RIPHughMasekela #HughMasekela pic.twitter.com/t5tWSYI1hV
— Mikey Mashila (@MikeyMashila) January 23, 2018
“My biggest obsession is to show Africans and the world who the people of Africa really are” Hugh Masekela #RIPHughMasekela pic.twitter.com/L21AMmOQX7
— Write Pen (@kudzaivanyoro1) January 23, 2018
Another legend down ?
RIP Hugh Masekela ? pic.twitter.com/qucNRgQtbc— #Banyile (@HermaineM) January 23, 2018
Rest in peace GROOTMAN Hugh Masekela
You are now God’s personal Jazz Musician ???????? pic.twitter.com/l0Yvikz7mz
— Christo (@ChristoThurston) January 23, 2018
The death of the legendary Hugh Masekela is a national loss by all measures.His soulful music moved millions,inspired scores of human beings. Whilst his soul rests in peace,his memory will remain alive in millions of hearts across the globe. We wee privileged to have him in SA.
— Iraj Abedian (@IrajAbedian) January 23, 2018
Bra Hugh Masekela playing at my 50th Birthday party in Harare, Zimbabwe in 2012. I cherish these memories and all the special moments we spent together. Go well son of the soil. pic.twitter.com/moHtH3odqJ
— Trevor Ncube (@TrevorNcube) January 23, 2018
