How a jazz legend shared the spirit of South Africa with the world
Music is so often the heart of a nation. To hear it is to understand the beauty of its people and places. And nowhere is this recognized more than in South Africa, where artists—like the late South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela—dedicate their sound to baring its soul.
A pioneer of jazz, Masekela understood the transcendent power of a song better than most. From the moment he picked up his first trumpet aged fourteen to one of his final performances at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club (London) in 2016, he used his craft to sustain the legacy of South African culture and liberation.
This unwavering contribution was celebrated at New York’s Lincoln Center in April 2023, when Masekela was inducted into the Ertegun Hall of Fame—a prestigious recognition of his exceptional talent.
His music is an ode to the nation he knew and loved, but it also inspires personal discovery. People can get to know their own versions of South Africa and the destinations that abound with history, culture, and creativity.
Mpumalanga: Land of the rising sun
“Respect, humility, and generosity have always been the crucial cornerstones of African social life,” Masekela once wrote.
This sentiment is also true of African tourism and the wanderlust it instils in travelers year after year.
As Masekela’s homeland, Mpumalanga enchants natives and visitors alike. Thanks to its dramatic landscape that frames the majesty of another day breaking, it is known as “the land of the rising sun”.
For an unforgettable view, visit one of the most renowned vantage points of the Escarpment Mountain Chain, God’s Window, which overlooks the Blyde River Canyon and its indigenous forest.
The canyon is best experienced from below, where there are numerous opportunities to hike the mountains, ride on horseback, and take to the waters. While a wide array of wildlife can be seen here, many travelers pin their hopes on the Kruger National Park or Sabi Sands Game Reserve for sightings of Africa’s Big Five.
A trip to Mpumalanga wouldn’t be complete without visiting one of its tribal villages. Just a short drive from the Kruger National Park is the Shangana Cultural Village, where the Shangaan people share their heritage with visitors through authentic music, dance performances, and traditional banquets. A tour is not only an opportunity to experience the cultural richness of village life, but to also give back to a community that is rooted in African identity.
Durban: A coastal playground
Further south of Mpumalanga is the city of Durban, which shares a coastline with the Indian Ocean. It is here that many South Africans spend their winter holidays, leaving the cold spells of Johannesburg and Cape Town to take advantage of warmer days on the beach.
Visitors can delight in paddleboarding, kayaking, and surfing, or take in the vibrant promenade, where street performers, sand sculptures, and market stalls line the seafront.
Just as the legendary Masekela didn’t fit a particular musical genre, preferring the term “world music”, Durban doesn’t fit a particular mold of travel. With so much to see and do, the city has something for everyone.
Dubbed “South Africa’s Playground”, it is home to the Comrades Ultramarathon, offering sports enthusiasts the ultimate endurance test, Africa’s largest aquarium, and the world’s tallest rope swing at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Feast on the city’s local delicacy of bunny chow (half a loaf of bread filled with mutton curry) or stumble on a shisa nyama—a street barbecue where the taste of South Africa can be experienced.
What begins as an informal gathering among friends often turns into a lively celebration, with music playing and people dancing into the early hours.
Cape Town: An artist’s canvas
Music festivals take place across South Africa all year round, recognizing the sound of the nation and its global influences. In 2018, The International Jazz Festival in Cape Town paid tribute to Masekela, who died just months before. Several of his former collaborators, including vocalist Tsepo Tshola and drummer Leeroy Sauls, performed some of his most iconic tracks against a backdrop of personal photos.
Today, his creative legacy lives on in the town’s developing art scene—best experienced in Woodstock. Full of independent boutiques, hipster cafes, and striking murals, it is a trove for culture seekers wanting to support local artistry. The Old Biscuit Mill is one of the most prominent landmarks, showcasing a collective of artisans every weekend and hosting a diverse range of business events during the week.
Cape Town itself is a perfect blend of bustling city life and breathtaking natural scenery. For a truly scenic route, take a road trip along the Cape Peninsula to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Stopover at Boulder Beach to experience an African penguin colony up close, before journeying to the Cape Point lighthouse. Visitors can ride the funicular railway to the top, where incredible views of the rocky peninsula await.
South Africa dances to its own tune. Its vibrant sound is representative of the unique and authentic experiences that are found within it, and the musicians who continue to share it with the world—just as Masekela did before them.
