Mourners gathered at the San Kopano Community Centre to pay tribute to jazz legend, Hugh Masekela, who lost his battle with cancer on 23 January.
The hall was filled with fellow musicians, family, friends and community members who came to pay their respect to the music giant.
Bra Hugh’s cousin, Mokgadi Tlakula, described Masekela as a kind person who was an advocate for peace.
Read: A star-studded send-off for Bra Hugh Masekela
“He did not hold any grudges and always wanted peace. Hugh preached harmony among everyone around him,” Tlakula said.
One of the legacies left by Bra Hugh that Tlakula will always remember him by was his love for Africa and its people.
“I remember when we were younger, I had a weave on and Hugh asked me if I have ever seen an Indian person wearing African weaves. It was funny then, but as I grew older I realised that he made a good point.”
Sebiletso Matabane, a close family friend of the Masekela family, said she could not decide on what to say about the fallen giant.
Read: Tribute to the late Hugh Masekela
Matabane said, “Bra Hugh was not just a friend, he was a brother to me. I spent a lot of time with him and other South Africans in America.”
She said Masekela, together with a small group of other South Africans, made it easier for her to adapt in US.
“When he had performances, Bra Hugh and other musicians would take me along. That was where I saw a lot of notable musicians.”
She often accommodated him at her house when he needed peace of mind.
“Bra Hugh was a very humble man, whenever he came over to my place he would make himself comfortable on the foam mattress that I set up for him in the living room.
“He loved this continent of ours. He loved the culture. That is what I will remember him by. He was a protagonist of our African culture, he always encouraged everyone to love their culture. During the xenophobic attacks in the country a few years ago, he was disgusted by what he constantly saw in the media.”
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Fellow musician, Jonas Ngwangwa, who was in a 14-piece band with Masekela and Caiphus Semenya in school, said he Masekela was a brilliant scholar. Ngwangwa said, “But he was also naughty as well. We had great times with him. Our brotherhood was unbreakable. Even when we parted there was no bad blood, we just outgrew each other and decided to go our separate ways. To this day, we remained good friends.”
Caiphus Semenya, who formed the Union of South Africa with Masekela and other musicians in US, said Bra Hugh was a hard worker and was passionate about his music.
“Hugh always pushed us to rehearse even though we did not feel like it. He had a passion for the stage. Man, he loved the stage.”
Musician and songwriter, Dorothy Masuku said she was impressed with Masekela’s sound and asked him to join the African Jazz and Variety Group and he agreed.
Read: CITY NEWS: Jazz Legend Hugh Masekela Passes Away
Masuku said, “We travelled the country performing for the people. They loved us. I was lucky to have been one of the people who had Bra Hugh record one of my songs.”
Masuku had the crowd cheering when she sang her hit song, Khauleza.
Other artists who performed in honour of the legend were Thandiswa Mazwai, Mo T from Micasa and local traditional group Molepo Traditional Group.
