Rest in peace, Bra Masekela
DEATH: an inevitable cessation that will knock on everyone’s door regardless of race, geographical location, tribe, continent, religion or colour. It’s an unbearable and incurable ‘‘disease’’ that has swept millions of lives across the world with aging, diseases, accidents and starvation being the usually causes of the final stop of life.
This time, death was brought about by prostate cancer to steal one of Africa’s greatest trumpeters, Hugh Masekela last week in South Africa. That’s the bitterness of death; it separates people from their loved ones, friends and end everyone’s earthly ambitions.
It leaves hearts shattered and with a single nagging question: Why does this happen to great people that are idolised by the world like Bra Hugh? It’s a rhetoric question that can never be answered, but will continue racing in people minds.
Bra Hugh is a South African legend that has undoubtedly pioneered African culture to the rest of the world, and whoever thought his death only affected South Africans was wrong as his music has extensively influenced the whole of Africa.
When celebrities die, not only the celeb’s family is heartbroken, but fans are also left devastated as the entertainer would have created a strong bond with them, and will have also impact on their identity, lifestyle, attitudes and beliefs.
Fans will mourn his or her passing on social media platforms, downloading their performances, songs and videos to listen and watch them again and again. Masekela’s death is not an exception as it has hatched a flood of sentimental memorials, and left millions of his global fans inconsolable. He had created an undying bond with his friends and fans which make them grieve more and more, today and forever.
It’s no doubt that even fans who have never met Bra Hugh have developed a connection with the legend through his music that makes them feel like they actually met the muso when he was alive.
Fans have been sending farewell and c ondol e n c e s messages on their social media accounts as his passing feels like losing an member of the family’’ to them.
It will be a shocker if any person was still unaware of the passing of the iconic figure of Africa as his death has been the leading subject on televisions, radios, and in newspapers.
MultiChoice channels like Mzansi Magic and Mzansi Music have been showing videos in memory of the African idol, while other channels like Channel O have also had programmes focused on Masekela’s music.
It’s a difficult period for fans and Masekela’s family to come to terms with the fact that what they are experiencing is real, and that they will never see the smiling Bra Hugh again in this world.
Many will comfort mourners saying Masekela is in a better place, but that will not change the reality that the Makoti hit-maker will be a million times missed and remembered. Toddlers or the next generation will be told about Africa’s best trumpeter.
Masekela’s death has left a void that cannot be filled by ‘‘extended anyone; no one will ever take his place in this world. His smile, his unique blowing of the trumpet and voice can be imitated by him only! However, he has left his followers a treasure which they will forever cherish since the modern era and it’s technologies have mediums that will enable the preservation of Masekela’s music for generations to come. In his astounding career, Masekela has worked on platinum projects with different African superstars. Zimbabwe’s own music icon, Oliver ‘‘Tuku’’ Mtukudzi is one of the closest friends of Masekela. The two have performed alongside each other in countless concerts. In 2012, Bra Hugh supported Tuku’s birthday at a special concert dubbed One Night Africa, which featured a star-studded line of artistes namely Judith Sephuma, Steve Dyer, Siphokhazi and Zahara. The special concert saw the two African legends share the stage, playing duets of their greatest works; Mtukudzi spiced Masekela’s Thanayi with an incredible guitar chords, on the other hand, Masekela added a beautiful and sonorous trumpet sound to Tuku’s renowned track Neria. Last year, Tuku lightened the once off concert dubbed ‘‘The No border Concert’’ in South Africa that was designed to honour Masekela as well as celebrate the illustrious music careers of both Tuku and Bra Masekela, and their undying friendship for one another. A special band combined of Tuku’s Black Spirits and Masekela’s backing band performed together to sum up the friendship of the two music icons. Masekela has released over 40 albums in his blistering career that includes Stimela, Black to the Future, Notes of Life, Grazing in the grass, Sixty and Hugh Masekela’s latest. He is one of the South African artistes who fought apartheid and is known for recording a song ‘‘Bring him back’ home’ dedicated to Nelson Mandela. Masekela was also determined to support African talents across Africa which saw her team up with our own music queen, Ammara for the hit Tawina which is part of Ammara’s debut album, Ammartia. It’s agonising to lose such a public figure that has influenced many lives. Time may dull the pain, but Africa will never forget Bra Masekela and the precious memories will never fade because he is gone. Rest in peace Bra Hugh!!