Hugh Masekela Dies at 78

Legendary Musician Hugh Masekela Dies at 78.

Legendary South African musician Hugh Masekela has died after losing the battle to cancer. The family of Bra High confirmed the death on Tuesday to media houses in a short statement stating he died following complications from prostate cancer.

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

The musician’s team released a statement in October saying he had been battling prostate cancer since 2008. The report explained that the jazz veteran 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.

Hugh Masekela started playing trumpet at 14, and his music was inspired by the turmoil that South Africa went through during apartheid and he said it was used as a weapon to spread political change.