Activist, Jazz and culture icon Dorothy Masuka (her surname should read "Masuku" but colonial administrators didn't care to spell names correctly on birth certificates) passed away on this day in 2019. This month marks her 85th birthday.
: Jürgen Schadeberg

Born in Bulawayo to a Zambian father and South African mother hailing from KZN, Masuka began her music career as early as 16. Between 1950 and 1953 she had composed and recorded 30 songs. Her voice is so important to the South African songbook.

Masuka's music was very in tune with South African realities so it was bound to evolve from reflecting regular black life to the political hardships of Black people. It's these political songs that would lead to her exile just after the Sharpeville Massacre.

She penned songs dedicated to the wave of Southern African independence namely in Zambia, Kenya, DRC. She tried to live in Zimbabwe until she had to leave: the Ian Smith-led government had her on a list of subversives. She settled in independent Zambia & worked as an Air Hostess.

She apparently survived two Air plane crashes during her years as an air hostess! Masuka returned to Zimbabwe though after Zanu-PF took over after independence. She would return to South Africa after 1990 when political organizations and activists were unbanned.
: John Lusk

I just wonder though...are our radio stations going to play her music today? Masuka is one of our most treasured composers and songwriters. Can we expect to hear her today?