Twitter mourns death of former Alex musician, Hugh Masekela
ALEXANDRA – Twitter reacts to Hugh Masekela's passing.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2018/01/hugh_22522_tn.jpg)
Tributes kept pouring in this morning, 23 January, following the announcement of the passing of former Alex resident and jazz legend, Hugh Masekela.
The 78-year-old Masekela, or Bra Hugh as he was affectionately known, has been receiving treatment for prostate cancer since 2008.
Read: Father of SA jazz, Hugh Masekela leaves a powerful legacy
Last year, Masekela announced that another tumour had been discovered after he fell while on tour in Morocco in April.
He had emergency treatment in September to neutralise the tumour and subsequently cancelled all of his music commitments to continue his fight against prostate cancer.
Tweets to the family were as follow:
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
— Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) January 23, 2018
As a child, I would get so frustrated everytime my uncle played his music, but grew to love it as I grew older. #RIPBraHugh.
— Thabang 🏳️🌈 (@Potonsi) January 23, 2018
I have no words – my friend a mentor a giant Rest In Peace #hughmasekela am shattered 😰🇿🇦
— Hotstix (@siphohotstix) January 23, 2018
We would like to extend our condolences on the passing on of Jazz Legend #HughMasekela. Bra Hugh lost his battle to prostate cancer today. #RIPBraHugh [Photo: Afromuzik] pic.twitter.com/NmNsh38fqN
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) January 23, 2018
The legend Hugh Masekela 😔😔 this is devastating #HughMasekela #RIP
— Leanne Manas (@LeanneManas) January 23, 2018
“I am a forward-looking person and live in the moment to build for the future.”
Rest In Peace #HughMasekela. pic.twitter.com/jI0YYozwyT— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) January 23, 2018
Man our hearts are broken today. Bless you @hughmasekela for your incredible life and influence. Rest In Peace …. #HughMasekela
— MI CASA #WEMADEIT (@MiCasaMusic) January 23, 2018
Family spokesperson, Marang Setshwaelo, described Bra Hugh as someone who always engaged robustly with the press on musical, social and political issues.
Setshwaelo said they would release details of the memorial and funeral soon.
Post your messages to the family on our Facebook page