By Grace Williams

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Hugh Masekela is an iconic and crucial example of the inseparable nature of politics and music. As a trumpeter, vocalist, as well as an anti-apartheid activist, he made music that spoke for the people of South Africa when they most needed a voice. His music “became the soundtrack to South Africa’s freedom struggle” (Pilling).  In “Chileshe,” Masekela is calling for the Europeans, who were leading the system of apartheid for the better part of fifty years in South Africa, to stop oppressing South Africans as well as calling for South Africans to speak up and not allow themselves to be treated as lesser than white people. When translated, he sings that “this freedom is ours, I don’t see it” (Bimba). “Chileshe” is an anthem for the people of South Africa when they were being completely taken advantage of by Verwoerd and the apartheid system. Masekela’s full soothing voice, accompanied by his flugelhorn solos give the song a communal and powerful quality that makes it clear that this song was meant to bring people together towards a better future; when listening to the song, you can’t help but feel it fill your chest with a sense of patriotism and longing, even if you aren’t a South African or a person affected by apartheid or the system. The flugelhorn and the jazzy style of the song is unique from most of the other music we have studied in class, but “Chileshe” still contains the same, classic, intoxicating African beat that is nearly impossible to not dance to. “Chileshe” is just one of many songs by Masekela that were pivotal and influential during a horrific time in South Africa’s history. 
 
References
“Hugh Masekela - Chileshe (English Translation).” Bimba, 
“Hugh Masekela – Chileshe.” Genius, 10 Nov. 1998, 
Pilling, David. “Hugh Masekela, 1939-2018, Musician and Anti-Apartheid Activist.” Financial Times, Financial Times, 26 Jan. 2018,