Hugh Masekela quotes

Hugh Masekela was a South African musician, trumpeter, and composer celebrated for his vibrant contributions to jazz and world music. His songs often reflected the struggles and hopes of South Africans under apartheid. He inspired generations through his artistry and activism for social change. Here are 18 of his quotes:

In my view, Africa's real problems are cultural.

Hugh Masekela

I'm travelling more than ever. I don't have the answer as to why, but the demand seems to have grown as I've got older.

Hugh Masekela

I've always stood on one fact - that all over the world, there are only two things, the Establishment and the poor people. The poor people are a massive majority and across the world they are exploited in different kinds of ways. The Establishment depends on exploiting raw materials and the poor.

Hugh Masekela

I think it is incumbent on all human beings to oppose injustice in every form.

Hugh Masekela

I am a forward-looking person and live in the moment to build for the future.

Hugh Masekela

I lived for music since I could think.

Hugh Masekela

It's obvious that the rest of the world loves high African culture - African culture, period.

Hugh Masekela

When people campaign for positions, they promise people all kinds of things.

Hugh Masekela

I just came from South Africa, a place that had been in a perpetual uprising since 1653, so the uprising had become a way of life in our culture and we grew up with rallies and strikes and marches and boycotts.

Hugh Masekela

Africa has been troubled for a long time - well, the world has been troubled ever since I was born.

Hugh Masekela

When I left South Africa in 1960 I was 20 years old. I wanted to try to get an education, and music education was not available for me in South Africa.

Hugh Masekela

To tell you the truth, man, we spend most of the time travelling in hotels, in festivals, in concert halls, clubs, airports. The most unenjoyable part is all the security at airports.

Hugh Masekela

I always make the joke that I go home, to one of my homes, to go and do laundry so I can go on the road again.

Hugh Masekela

What people don't know about oppression is that the oppressor works much harder. You always grew up being told you were not smart enough or not fast enough, but we all lived from the time we were children to beat the system.

Hugh Masekela

I don't think what I do is influenced by suffering. I come from a talented people who are prolific in music and dance.

Hugh Masekela

I don't think any musician ever thinks about making a statement. I think everybody goes into music loving it.

Hugh Masekela