Joburg Theatre collaborates with The Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation to honour Bra Hugh
JOBURG – The tribute will feature contributions from some of his most loved collaborators and will shine a spotlight on South African talent.
Joburg Theatre, in collaboration with The Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation, will usher in Africa Month with a heart-warming celebration of Hugh Masekela’s theatrical music in an exclusive four- performance season, at The Mandela stage, from 3 May to 6 May.
Bra Hugh, as he was affectionately known, graced stages across the world, playing for statesmen and ordinary people alike.
Read: A star-studded send-off for Bra Hugh Masekela
“He stood tall in the dark days of apartheid, highlighting Africa’s and South Africa’s plight to the world. A brilliant and headstrong artist, he was never shy to express his views and love for the African Continent,” the theatre said.
The Joburg Theatre recalled Bra Hugh’s affection and contribution to musical theatre in South Africa. The theatre said his early years found him involved in the productions of the African Jazz and Variety roadshow and the internationally acclaimed King Kong – Africa’s first Jazz opera.
“A celebration of this kind is long overdue, and I wish that Bra Hugh was still alive to witness his talent being celebrated in this manner” stated Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development in the City of Joburg, Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba.
Read: Tribute to the late Hugh Masekela
The performances taking place will include a melodic and dramatic tapestry of songs from Sarafina!, directed by Mbongeni Ngema, Songs of Migration, directed by James Ngcobo, and Gone Native: The Life and Times of Regina Brooks directed by Makhaola Ndebele.
The tribute will feature contributions from some of his most loved collaborators such as Thandiswa Mazwai and Sibongile Khumalo and will shine a spotlight on South African talent. They will be joined by a select group of eminent musicians who worked with Bra Hugh, as well as members of the most recent Masekela Touring Band.
“As we celebrate Africa and Worker’s month, I would like to urge all of us to remember all African artists, those who passed on or alive, who have entertained us with little or no recognition. Although this is a tribute to Bra Hugh I feel that we should look at it as a tribute to the indestructible soul of the African child which triumphs against all odds” said Sifumba.
