Breaking News! Bra Hugh Masekela Has Died! The legendary musician has reportedly passed away at a Johannesburg hospital. He was 78.
Masekela lost his battle with prostate cancer, for which he had been treated since 2008. The Jazz legend opened up about his cancer fight a few months ago when he cancelled all his commitments to put his energy into fighting prostate cancer.
“I have been in treatment for prostate cancer since 2008 when doctors discovered a small ‘speck’ on my bladder. The treatment seemed to be successful, but in March 2016 I had to undergo surgery as the cancer had spread,” he said.
“I’m in a good space as I battle this stealthy disease and I urge all men to have regular tests to check your own condition. Ask questions, demand answers, learn everything you can about this cancer and tell others to do the same,” he said back in October.
Masekela is survived by his wife, Elinam Cofie, whom he married in 1999 and for whom he penned the song “Ghana”, his daughter, Pula Twala, and his son, Selema “Sal” Masekela, from his relationship with Haitian Jessie Marie Lapierre.
May his soul rest in peace.
