A brief look at Dorothy Masuku’s well-lived musical life
JOBURG – We take a look at Dorothy Masuku’s musical journey.
On Sunday, 24 February, the news of Zimbabwean-born and South Africa’s legendary musician, Dorothy Masuku’s passing surfaced to widespread condolences. The icon died at the age of 83 and was a pioneering composer, politically-conscious pan-African and forerunner of popular African liberation music.
Masuku’s musical career spans decades and can be traced back to the moment she joined the St Thomas Convent School Choir in Joburg – where her talents were spotted instantly and she later got signed to Troubadour record label.
It has been reported that Masuku composed and recorded close to 30 singles during her teenage years with some going on to be major hits which propelled her to star status. Her music was often written and recorded in multiple African languages.
Staying true to her political consciousness, Masuku spoke to the discriminatory conditions faced by black people during the apartheid era. Songs such as Zono Zam, Dr Malan and Lumumba made her a state target and led to her 31-year exile which only saw her return to South Africa in 1992 and immediately performing and creating new hits as well as releasing a compilation album of her greatest songs, Hamba Nontsokolo.
Masuku spent most of the remainder of her life performing at major jazz festivals.
