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*Music icon Hugh Masekela was bedridden and reportedly in need of oxygen in the days leading up to his death, leaving concerned friends, family and neighbors praying for his health, reports South Africa’s TshisaLIVE.
The heralded trumpeter died in Johannesburg on Tuesday after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE outside the home of Masekela’s sister, family spokesperson Marang Setshwaelo confirmed the musician was bedridden and surrounded by family in the hours leading up to his death.
“He had cancer so he was not doing well. The family are naturally devastated,” Setshwaelo said.
Neighbors spoke fondly of Masekela and said he would always greet them with a smile, even when he was in obvious pain.
“He was sick but when he came past he was always smiling. He walked with confidence and never let us know he was struggling. We will miss his smile,” Patrick Ndlovu said.
Neighbors said Masekela’s health deteriorated rapidly in the last year, and because of his periodic hospital visits last year, he was monitored around the clock by nurses over the last few months.
They claim the star was put on oxygen late last year to help with his breathing.
“Everyone was concerned about him but he never gave the impression that he was anything but positive. We heard of his health deteriorating and we just hoped he would get better,” another neighbor said.
Miriam Makeba’s grandson Nelson Lumumba Lee told TshisaLIVE he spoke to the artist just two months ago: “I really thought he would get through it. I knew he was ill but I didn’t think it would be so soon. We spoke in November and he was energetic. He admitted that he wasn’t feeling well but gave no indication that it would be so soon. I had hoped that if he just got some rest he would heal, unfortunately that didn’t happen.”
