South African music legend Hugh Masekela has died at the age of 78 after a battle with prostate cancer. The musician’s family released a statement to the media on Tuesday, announcing his death. “After a protracted and courageous battle with prostate cancer, he passed peacefully in Johannesburg, South Africa surrounded by his family,” the statement said. His team announced in October last year that he had been battling prostate cancer since 2008. Masekela underwent eye surgery in March 2016 after the cancer spread, and had to go into theatre again in September 2016 as another tumour was discovered. Masekela considered the “father of South African jazz”. He was known for writing well-known anti-apartheid songs such as “Soweto Blues” and “Bring Him Back Home”.
The legend has fallen but the legacy continues #HughMasekela #RIPhughmasekela pic.twitter.com/FHEAe0uaPa
— ♕Prince G_SAG BOYZ™ (@geeprince) January 23, 2018
#RIPHughMasekela #HughMasekela
Rest in Power Bra Hugh! ✊? pic.twitter.com/vXRqrzDWWG — Tumi Sole (@tumisole) January 23, 2018
Shocking and sad news indeed.
RIP #hughmasekela pic.twitter.com/PVXCp9scOB — Sarah Manamela (@SManamela) January 23, 2018
Credit: Facebook