“My biggest obsession is to show Africans and the world who the people of Africa really are.”
Hugh Ramapolo Masekela
Background
The wRite associates, a one-stop strategy development, project and events management company that conceptualises, develops, implements and supports highly effective project and event management strategies, within – but not limited to – the arts, culture and heritage realm, is the proud founder of the Hugh Masekela Annual Lecture and Colloquia and Concert.
The programme falls under the wRite associates Lecture Series which aims to promote and preserve the legacy of South Africans who have made and continue to make significant contributions in the arts, culture and heritage space and lives of South Africans, Africa and the World.
Bro Hugh is one such deserving individual whose contribution goes beyond measure and has footprint across world boarders, having started the journey at an early age. Thus in the year 2014, that Bro Hugh Masekela – the world-renowned flugelhornist, trumpeter, bandleader, composer, singer, social, cultural and political and heritage activist – celebrates his 75th birthday, the wRite associates saw it fit that he be honoured by bestowing on him, the Hugh Masekela Annual Lecture and Colloquia and Concert. A concept Bro Hugh welcomed heartily.
Key Partnerships
The University of Johannesburg and Assupol, became the strategic partners in this significant endeavour by joining the wRite associates in delivering the inaugural Hugh Masekela Annual Lecture & Concert, 9th to 10th September 2014, University of Joburg, Soweto Campus.
The Lecture was complemented by the following integral parts on 9th and 10th September 2014, Soweto Theatre:
- a) The Hugh Masekela Music Dialogue/Master Class Workshops (9th Sep)
- b) The Hugh Masekela & Oliver Mtukudzi Boutique Concert (10th Sep)
Delivering the Inaugural Lecture
Oliver Mtukudzi, world renowned award–winning singer-songwriter, guitarist and heritage activist, will delivered this inaugural Lecture. The stellar cast of respondents and discussants included former first female SRC President at Fort Hare University, Ms Nomsa Mazwai and Ms Barbara Masekela.
The aim of the programme
The Hugh Masekela Annual Lecture and Colloquia aims to create a platform for heritage, cultural, academic, art, and social discourse to celebrate and reflect on Masekela’s philosophy, his work and contribution to the liberation and betterment of society.
This annual programme will feature the world’s renowned icons in music, heritage, cultural, human rights, literary and academic fields to deliver the lecture.
Why Bro Hugh?
The celebration and acknowledgement of the life and times of the South African legend and doyen of music Dr Hugh Masekela is long overdue. This world icon, musician, singer, composer, bandleader, social and cultural activist has contributed significantly in the world music arena and has inspired generations of musicians and general communities around the globe. Masekela’s contribution does not end in music but extends to the promotion and preservation of African culture, heritage and the indigenous languages. It is thus imperative that such wealth of legacy is properly archived in the world’s annals of history and made available to the current and generations to come.
Beneficiaries
This programme will create a hub of life, times and work of Bro Hugh to be appreciated by artists, musicians, writers, historians, learners, scholars and the community at large while it is used for research and historical purposes.
Proceeds derived from the programme, as offered by Bro Hugh Masekela, will go to the Africa Century International African Writers Conference, of which Bro Hugh is a patron, together with the Nobel Laureate Nadine Gordimer (now dearly departed), National Poet Laureate Keorapetse Kgositsile, Dr. Wangui wa Goro: writer, researcher, translator & human rights campaigner and Prof. Chinua Achebe, world renowned author and scholar (now dearly departed).
About the Africa Century International African
Writers Conference
The Africa Century International African Writers Conference is a historical gathering of literary intellectuals and authors from across the world, as the then-OAU’s Conference of African Ministers of Education and Culture (meeting in Coutonou, Benin, in 1991) resolved, “…afford the African people a moment of pause within which to reflect on the contribution of African Writers to the development of the Continent”.
The Conference is a Mecca of who is who of the African literati, the Diaspora and the entire globe where the celebrations of African letters occupy centre stage. This year 2014, will be the conference third year of existence. For more information about the conference, please visit www.africacenturyconference.co.za
