Topics and Guests: Today Africa Now!'s topic is Music Is the Message—Hugh Masekela; and the Sounds of the Soweto Uprising continuing the theme of WPFW's Spring Membership Drive which is "Music IS the Message." On that note Africa Now! today features a discussion with South African musician and cultural activist Mr. Hugh Masekela discussing the role of the artist in society. Renowned South African musician Hugh Masekela has for over 50 years sang and played his horn to speak truth to power. Hugh Masekela has used culture—in this case music—to speak about injustice and other important issues in society. Music was an instrument that Hugh Masekela used to fight apartheid. In a free South Africa, he has employed his horn to raise the alarm about poverty, HIV/AIDS and other social issues, in sense being a modern day griot. The show also highlights the music inspired by the 1976 Soweto Uprising—which occurred 40 years ago on June 16th. The music that keeps raising awareness worldwide about injustices past and present.
Click here to listen to Africa Now! of May 18, 2016 Music Is the Message—Hugh Masekela; and the Sounds of the Soweto Uprising.