Jazz veteran Dorothy Masuka dies

On 23 February 2019, Dorothy Masuka died at her home, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, after suffering from hypertension.

Dorothy Masuka was born on 3 September 1935 in Zimbabwe. Her father was originally from Zambia and her mother from Natal (now KwaZulu Natal), South Africa. In 1947, Masuka moved to live with her aunt in South Africa. Masuka is known for her contribution to jazz in South Africa and the entire world.  Masuka’s talent was discovered when she was singing at a school concert at St. Thomas Catholic Boarding School in Johannesburg. At the age of sixteen she signed up at Troubadour Records.

During her teenage years, she released about 30 singles and most of them achieved hit status. This is when she started to be a top recording star. One of her famous song was ‘Hamba Nontsokolo’ which created fame and introduced her to professional music. In 1961 Masuka wrote a song to pay tribute to Patrice Lumumba, the first democratically elected president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  She continued to release more songs until one of her songs about apartheid laws was banned. She then went into exile where she spent time in Malawi and Tanzania.

While she was in exile, she campaigned for the liberation of people through music.
Masuka will be missed for her contribution to music and the role she played in the fight against apartheid. At the time of her death, Dorothy Masuka was based in Yeoville, Johannesburg.