SA: Tributes continue to pour in for late singer Dorothy Masuka

"Another golden voice in the chorus line of our nation has been silenced with the passing of Mama Dorothy Masuka,” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement. “She belonged to a generation of artists who transcended boundaries in art and politics long before we coined the concept of globalisation.”

Ramaphosa said Masuka played a pivotal role in developing the lives of all people. “Mama Dorothy was part of a cohort of performers – notably women – who were driven by wanting to create a better society and a better world. Mama Dorothy’s voice and poetry took us on stirring, uplifting and agitating journeys through the human experience.

“While the spotlight of stages all around the world were trained in her, she shone a light on the joys and struggles of life across the lines of race, class and nationality that were so starkly entrenched in the world and era in which she first emerged as an artistic force.”

South African Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthetwa wrote on Twitter: “A baobab tree has fallen with the passing of a one of a kind musician, the legendary Mama Dorothy Masuka. Her music was the soundtrack of some of our most joyful moments and the light of our souls during our darkest hours. Lala ngoxolo mama wethu [rest in peace, mother]."

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) described Masuku as an outstanding humanitarian. “It is with great sadness that SAMRO extends its last respect to the veteran jazz maestro Dorothy Masuka,” the collective management organisation said. “She was a remarkable soul and her legacy will live on forever. Condolences to her family, friends and industry colleagues during this dark time. At the most trying times for our nation, Mme Masuka and other legends used music as a tool to communicate and give hope to millions of South Africans.”

The South African Music Awards (SAMAs) tweeted: "Our condolences go out to the family and friends of SAMA Lifetime Achievement Award winner and jazz legend Dorothy Masuka. May her soul rest."

Local musician DJ Sbu also wrote on Twitter. "I just heard of the terrible news of the passing of our African jazz icon Mama Dorothy Masuka. May your soul rest in song. Mama thank you for the inspiration. May your family find solace in the Almighty. We appreciate the contribution to our beloved Azania," he said.

Rapper ProVerb said: “Deeply saddened by the news of the passing of mama Dorothy Masuka. May her soul rest in perfect peace and may her music live on forever.

Afrikaans rock singer and ex-The Voice South Africa coach Karen Zoid also paid homage to the late singer. "The loss of her presence on this earth is felt by so many of us today. Dance with the angels forever and ever beautiful soul. Hamba Nontsokolo. You are free now. Thank you for all your love, prayers and songs. I will never ever forget you. My heart goes out to Laika and all Dorothy’s immediate family,” she said.

Masuka was born on 3 September 1935 in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). She gained fame in South Africa throughout the 1950s when her song ‘Dr Malan’ caught the attention of the apartheid government, which banned it. She also released ‘Patrice Lumumba’, a song about the 1961 execution of the first prime minister of independent DRC. The release led to her 31-year exile in Zambia. During this time she worked as a flight attendant.

Some of her popular songs include ‘Pata Pata’, ‘Hamba Notsokolo’, ‘Teya Teya’, ‘Khanyange’, ‘Mzilikazi’ and ‘Ngihamba Ngedwa’. Masuka released such albums as Hamba Notsokolo, Mzilikazi, Lendaba, Live at the Mandela Theatre and Nginje.