The master and his protg thrill at Mascom Live Sessions

413,Chippa Legodimo,phpD5D.tmp.jpg, | Wednesday May 27, 2015 00:00

The show presented fans of the two legends an opportunity to see how much the Botswana musician, Moruakgomo, has learnt from South African jazz legend, Masekela.

Before his performance, Moruakgomo shared that Masekela has been his mentor for a long time, and he had learnt a lot from him.

“Bra Hugh and I have a relationship that spans 43 years. He once said to me: ‘Socca, stay away from drugs and alcohol, and respect your music.’’

I took his advice and look how young I still look,” he said.

His band started off his set playing the track What’s Happening in Africa, on the background Moruakgomo emphasised how much respect they accorded each other, adding that during the South African liberation struggle, Masekela had recommended him to Mbongeni Ngema whose musical was touring Europe.

“Because I was recommended by a respected artiste Ngema saw no reason to audition me and there I was touring Europe,” he said.

The large crowd was treated to Moruakgomo’s mellow sounds and cheered excitedly to his ‘sassy’ dance moves. However, the real excitement erupted when the two men performed their collaboration song, Missed the Flight, in which they took turns to blow their horns into the microphone like young studs in Isikhothane street games.

The maestros’ ten-minute scintillating performance was sealed with a big hug that sent the audience into a cheering frenzy.

Shortly after Moruakgomo’s performance the crowd was treated to a pleasant surprise when another veteran Bapsy Mlangeni took them on a short musical journey dishing out his favourite song, Sala Emma. Next was choral music with South African group, Thembile Africa.

When Masekela returned to the stage, for his main performance it made sense that Masekela perform the track Chileshe, which advocates for peace, considering the recent spate of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The elderly musician also revealed his humorous side with a short comic skit that left fans in stitches. “An American president once boasted that they had outclassed South Africa because they have sent a man to the moon.

 Our ambassador Fannie van Neikerk then said that South Africa would get one better by sending a man to the sun.

Then the American president said that is impossible because that man will get burnt and van Neikerk said: ‘‘You think we are stupid, we will send him at night” he said.

After decades of dominating the world stage, there is no sign of Masekela slowly down and the Friday night show was a demonstration of his agility, despite his age.