Photo of Kwanele Mathebula

WATCH: Hugh Masekela’s family announces details of his memorial service

Hugh Masekela‘s family held a press conference earlier today in Johannesburg to share details of the memorial service and funeral. His family thanked fans and friends for their support since the news of his death broke.

Masekela’s son, Sal also announced memorial services will be held for the public but the funeral will be a private affair for family and close friends.

Video: eNCA 

Here’s a look at the conference.

SEE ALSO: 9 songs in remembrance of Hugh Masekela

A day after his father’s passing, Sal shared a touching message about his father on his social media.

It is with heavy heart that I confirm that my father, Hugh Ramapolo Masekela, has hung up his horn after a long battle with prostate cancer. It is difficult to comprehend that this moment is real. To me, my father has always been both ageless and immortal. Of the countless shows I had the honor of watching my dad perform, each felt like the first, each felt brand new. At the age of 5 he first introduced me to the late night halls of Manhattan’s The Village Gate and Mikell’s, where he would steal the hearts and souls of innocents with a musical storytelling all his own, passionately and relentlessly transporting them to the farthest reaches of Africa with both voice and trumpet. It was these moments and his choosing to take me around the globe any chance he got, that would come to shape my entire world view. As a product of the meticulously designed apartheid regime of 20th century South Africa, my fathers life was the definition of activism and resistance. Despite the open arms of many countries, for 30 years he refused to take citizenship anywhere else on this earth. His belief too strong that the pure evil of a systematic racist oppression could and would be crushed. Instead he would continue to fight. He was right. To know Hugh Masekela was to know no matter class, creed, color, religion or any other made up distinctions, he stood with empathy and compassion, locked arm in arm with the distressed, displaced and downtrodden everywhere and anywhere on this planet. He carried a deep seeded belief in justice, freedom and equality for all peoples to the very end. He scoffed at the futile idea of borders defining humanity. Even more than all of that, it was his undying and childlike love for South Africa and the entire African continent; with its dizzying displays of natural beauty, music, art and culture that mesmerized me more than anything. He was beautifully obsessed with showcasing the endless magic and pageantry of African peoples to a western obsessed world. After a recent trip to Tanzania caused me to share with my dad that my heart was full, he simply said this to me, ‘I can give you my heart to take in the overspill’. ??

A post shared by Selema Mabena Masekela (@salmasekela) on

We wish them strength at this time.

Proteas win: 5 Moments that stood out

South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs at Kingsmead, but the victory also left Shukri Conrad with plenty to think about ahead of the second ODI. Also see: 4th Proteas quick Kwena Maphaka sidelined with hamstring injury 1. The batting lineup still has questions With Tristan Stubbs left out and Aiden Markram unavailable, there were opportunities […]

Read more...

FAME Shorts Film Festival 2026 line-up unveiled

The continent’s cinematic voice is taking centre stage as Cape Town prepares to host the annual creative gathering FAME Week Africa, taking place from 28 October to 1 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 2). Also see: 5 AFRICAN CONSERVATION AND TOURISM SHORT FILMS RECOGNISED AT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Bringing together […]

Read more...

Pitso Mosimane wants Bafana Bafana to build Springboks-style squad depth

Pitso Mosimane wants Bafana Bafana to reach the Springboks’ level, where player changes never drop the standard of the team. Also see: Pitso Mosimane calls for major changes to Bafana Bafana Pitso Mosimane eyes Springbok success Newly appointed Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane is looking to take a page straight out of Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok […]

Read more...