Tributes paid to South African musician and activist Hugh Masekela

‘Father of South African jazz’, who had profession spanning greater than 5 many years, dies aged 78

• Masekela’s life and career – in pictures
• Hugh Masekela obituary: jazz pioneer who fought the evil of apartheid

South Africans have paid tribute to Hugh Masekela, the legendary jazz musician and activist, who died on Tuesday aged 78.

The South African president, Jacob Zuma, stated the nation would mourn a person who “stored the torch of freedom alive”. The humanities and tradition minister, Nathi Mthethwa, described Masekela as “one of many nice architects of Afro-Jazz”. “A baobab tree has fallen,” Mthethwa wrote on Twitter.

Associated: Hugh Masekela: 'I don't think I have the power to forgive'

(January 23, 1939) Hugh Masekela is born in KwaGuqa Township, South Africa

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