Masekela, Keita leave a mark in Gaborone
Chippa Legodimo | Friday May 8, 2015 18:00
The two performed in separate shows last month, with each leaving their own mark on the stage. However, these were not just music festivals but also encompassed historical moments, which will be forever cherished. The two shows also reminded people of the olden days and how discrimination often served to drive people closer to each other.
Masekela made Gaborone his second home in the late 60s and early 70s after fleeing from his native home country, South Africa, which was embroiled in the apartheid struggle. Masekela was among those musicians who took the lead in mobilising international support against the oppressive regime.
This made him and the likes of Mirriam Makeba ‘enemies of the state’ and they were forced to seek refuge in other countries.
During his stay in Gaborone, the legendary musician made friends and musically inspired many who had some form of contact with him. One of those was Botswana’s own jazz maestro Socca Moruakgomo.
A solid friendship was built, based on respect for each other and admiration of the two men’s talents.
Naturally Moruakgomo would see Masekela as an iconic figure and harbored dreams of emulating him one day. But little did he know that his mentor held him in high esteem until one day when the world famous Masekela recommended him to join Mbongeni Ngema’s musical which was touring Europe at the time.
Moruakgomo, who shared the stage with Masekela at the recent show, told the crowd.
“Bra Hugh and I have a relationship that spans 43 years. He has been my mentor, my brother and so much more,” he said.
Against his own expectation, Moruakgomo was not auditioned but just jumped into Ngema’s bandwagon and went off to Europe.
Both Masekela and Keita have a lot more in common.
Apart from both being jazz musicians of note, the two have been advocates for human rights and equality.
Keita, who was cruelly discriminated against as a youngster because he is an albino, has openly spoken against various forms of abuse and used his music to effect change.
Keita, who was born in Djoliba, a village on the banks of the Niger River in Mali, was sent away with his mother by his father who was under pressure from members of the community who believed the albino baby possessed some dangerous powers. It was believed that the harmless toddler had to be killed before he caused mayhem.
Keita was often the butt of jokes because of the color of his skin.
These taunts could have easily destroyed any child but not for Keita who was determined to make something of his hopeless life.
Armed with a powerful voice and sheer determination to save himself, Keita went on a musical adventure, first as a hotel resident entertainer before blossoming into an international star. Motivated by his own struggles, Keita decided to use his international influence as a musician to add his weight to the South African liberation struggle.
While Keita has been praised for producing world-recognised hits and dominating international stages, he insists the highlight of his career was when he composed and performed a song calling for Nelson Mandela’s release during the liberation struggle hero’s 70th Birthday Tribute concert in 1988.
Both Keita and Masekela have traversed the world, performed for royalty, while openly condemning various social ills.
It was only fitting to salute these two musical giants and an honor to witness them grace local stages.