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Another cultural icon takes a bow – permanently never to be heard alive again! The South African Communist Party conveys its message of deepest condolences to the Masekela family on the passing of Hugh Masekela.

Bra Hugh’s death leaves a huge gap in the pantheon of musicians and cultural workers with a deep sense of loyalty and dedication to the liberation of our country and continent from oppression, injustice and exploitation.

Hugh, like other progressive artists, contributed immensely to the international isolation of apartheid and to solidarity with the whole of our African continent and other continents struggling for freedom, justice and democracy. His inspiring, entertaining, creative music was heard and is likely to continue to be heard in festivals, cultural events, big and small, to the delight of music lovers.

Fiercely independent, critical, Hugh was often also provocative. Bra Hugh, and Bra Willie Kgositsile who we buried recently, came from the same generation that truly used their talents to advance the course of freedom, protest and liberation that are the markers of our society today!

Hugh’s life story, the SACP hopes, will also be told in prose, poetry and in music as a tribute to courage, loyalty, creativity and a rich cultural life!

Issued by SACP