Sal Masekela in South Africa

E Entertainment presenter Sal Masekela has been in the country for 8 weeks of the
last 4 months representing ESPN for the World Cup. He’s been doing a 10 part series
called “Umlando”, showcasing what South Africa has to offer besides the history of
apartheid, Nelson Mandela and HIV/AIDS. Indeed there is life in our country besides those top 3 and I think it was very thoughtful for ESPN to have a program like this for ignorant people around the globe. What makes this show interesting is the fact that Sal is working with his legendary father, Hugh Masekela. Known for his great musical talent and blowing a
trumpet, bra Hugh spent most of his years in exile in the US which has become Sal’s home. Pop the hood to read about what Sal has done in South Africa, how he got his break in Television, and what a lot of Americans say to him about the Vietnam war and his father!

Although his first visit to South Africa was in 1991, Sal is very fond of the country despite not being able to speak any local languages. “Haai suka wena” and I’m sure a couple of swear words he can utter but he reckons if he was to try speak Venda, he would fail dismally. He joined ESPN back in 1999 which actually gave him a break in television. Who would ever think that a surfer and a skate border could land such an influential gig? He attributes his success to his passion for sports and says his dad advised him to love whatever he does. I’d go mad if my son told me he wants to be a surfer for a living but I guess it’s that passion that got him to travel around the globe and bring X games to our living room. His stay in the country has given him time to bond with his dad and also learn more about his heritage. He considers the country different from when he first set foot but says we still have a long way to go in terms of poverty alleviation and social economic balance. In the two weeks he travelled with his dad and managed to visit the Cradle of Civilisation, he spent 3 days playing with lions, dived in a cage with white sharks, celebrated 50 years anniversary on the Sharpeville Massacre (human rights day) and got to meet Sam Nzima, the man who photographed Mbuyisa Makhubo carrying Hector Pieterson’s body in the hectic June 16 uprising. Our country has rich history, people have died for our freedom and we've come a long way. I hope we can embrace this country and look forward to living together, united in peace beyond the World Cup. Doesn’t it suprise you that Bra Hugh despite having the opportunity of getting citizenship in the US or UK came back to South Africa as soon as the apartheid regime was over? Sal doesn’t consider himself a celebrity, he keeps his private life to himself and believes fame is cheap, here today gone tomorrow. Having a father like Hugh who many regard as a hero, he hasn’t let that go into his head. He is making his own wave despite the credit his dad gets. “Your father got me through the war” (Vietnam) are some of the words he hears in the US when people find out that his surname is Masekela. His favourite song done by his dad is “Stimela” cause its revolutionary and sounds different every time he hears it. A very humble man he is, Mr Sal Masekela. Valuable lessons can be learned from him and his journey. Live your dream by setting your goals and achieving them but most importantly do it with passion. I am Tha Hustler...