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Own Correspondent
Superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi will on September 9, deliver the inaugural Hugh Masekela Lecture at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.
During his visit to Zimbabwe earlier this month, Masekela announced that he had invited his colleague, Tuku, to deliver the first of a series of annual lectures that would focus on African heritage as well as cultural, academic issues, art, and social discourse.

“When I started thinking about who could be the first person to deliver this lecture, there was only one name that stuck out,” Masekela said, “that was my brother here, Tuku.”

Bra Hugh, as he is affectionately known, said he admired how Tuku had stuck to his language and unique sound.

“Here is a man who did not buckle to pressure to sound like someone else and kept his own unique sound and continued to sing in his language,” he said.

Over 2 000 people are expected to attend the lecture, drawn from various fields, including academia, business, the arts, government and civil society.

Participants at the lecture will include artist, activist and first female SRC President at Fort Hare University, Nomsa Mazwai as well as author and UJ chancellor, Professor Njabulo Ndebele.

The Hugh Masekela Lecture and Colloquia will be complemented by the Hugh Masekela Music Dialogue/Master Class Workshops earlier on the same day and the Masekela and Mtukudzi concert at the Soweto Theatre on September 10.

Project director of the Hugh Masekela Annual Lecture and Colloquia, Morakabe Seakhoa said Bra Hugh deserved such honour.

“Bra Hugh’s iconic status as a musical, arts and human rights activist in Africa and the world remains inspiring and worthy of the celebration in South African and beyond,” said Seakhoa.

University of Johannesburg deputy vice-chancellor: Internationalisation, Institutional Advancement and Student Affairs Professor Tinyiko Maluleke said the University was delighted to host the lecture.

“Masekela’s legacy is in line with the University’s vision to foster ideas that are rooted in African epistemology, and also address the critical needs and aspirations of South African society and Africa in general,” said Maluleke.

“UJ has no doubt that arts and culture industries have a pivotal role in contributing to the continent’s sustainable growth and development.”

Tuku and Bra Hugh first met in 1982 in Bulawayo and their friendship has developed steadily over the years.

During Bra Hugh’s recent visit to Zimbabwe, they both spoke about their mutual respect for each other’s work.

They also stepped into the studio for the first time together on August 7, a long held wish for the two musical giants who have shared the stage numerous times at various concerts in many countries.