South African Musician Hugh Masekela Dies

Legendary South African musician Hugh Masekela has died after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Masekela’s family confirmed the musician’s death in a statement sent to the media. The statement reads:

After a protracted and courageous battle with prostate cancer, he passed peacefully in Johannesburg, South Africa surrounded by his family.

Masekela was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008 and 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. He was born in KwaGuqa township in Witbank and began singing and playing the piano as a child.

He collaborated with a number of Zimbabwean musicians such as Oliver Mtukudzi and performed at the Harare Jazz Festival in 2011. Listen to Masekela’s collaboration with Mtukudzi titled “Tapera” below:

More: Times