|
UNITED
STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE |
March
17, 2011 |
|
|
|
Gubernatorial
Proclamation - Hugh Ramopolo Masekela Day
|
|
|
|
Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. has proclaimed March 18, 2011 on St. Croix and March 19, 2011 on St. Thomas as “Hugh Masekela Day” in the U.S. Virgin Islands in honor of the legendary South African musician.
Hugh Ramopolo Masekela, a trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, band leader and singer, was born April 4, 1939 in Kwa-Guqa Township, Witbank, South Africa.
Throughout his career, Masekela has created music that closely reflects his life’s experiences and vividly expresses the struggles, hardships, conflicts and sorrows of the people of South Africa, as well as the joys and passions of his country.
Masekela spent 30 years in exile for his role in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. At the start of that period, his first song, “Grazing in the Grass” topped the U.S. charts in 1968 and sold over 4 million copies worldwide.
In 1987, Masekela released the hit single “Bring Him Back Home” which became the anthem for the movement to free former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Masekela has performed with many of the world's top jazz ensembles, and his life story has been featured in various South African documentary films. He has received several prestigious awards, including the African Music Legend Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2002 International Award of the Year. Among the highlights of his career, Masekela gave a critically acclaimed performance at the 2010 World Cup Kick-off concert in South Africa.
This week, there are a number of special events taking place with Masekela, including:
Thursday, March 17th, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Hugh Masekela will give a free lecture about his work as an activist, including how his music raised international awareness of apartheid. The lecture will be in the Great Hall, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus. The public on St. Thomas can enjoy the lecture in the ACC Building, room 142 1B & 146 1A as a video link on the UVI’s St. Thomas campus. A brief question and answer session will follow.
Thursday, March 17th, 7:00-8:00 p.m. The University of the Virgin Islands will host a Donors’ reception at the Estate Whim Greathouse, St. Croix to honor Hugh Masekela. Lieutenant Governor Francis will present Mr. Masekela with a proclamation, declaring Hugh Masekela Day in the Virgin Islands on Friday and Saturday.
Masekela will also perform in concert on Friday, March 18th, 2011, 8:00 p.m. on St. Croix, at Island Center for the Performing Arts and on Saturday, March 19th, 2011, 8:00 p.m. on St. Thomas at the Reichhold Center for the Arts.
Masekela arrived in the Territory on Tuesday and departs on Sunday.
Governor de Jongh calls on Virgin Islanders to join him in observing Hugh Masekela Day to honor a great musician, humanitarian and civil rights activist.
|
|
|
|
###
|
|
|
|
A
PROCLAMATION
BY THE GOVERNOR
OF THE
UNITED STATES VIRGIN
ISLANDS
TO PROCLAIM HUGH
RAMOPOLO MASEKELA DAY
IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS |
|
|
| WHEREAS, Hugh Ramopolo Masekela is a legendary South African musician, trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, bandleader and singer; and
WHEREAS, Hugh Masekela was born on April 4th, 1939 in KwaGuqa Township, Witbank, South Africa; and
WHEREAS, Hugh Masekela' s music closely reflects his life's experiences, and vividly expresses the struggles, hardships, conflicts and sorrows of the people of South Africa, as well as the joys and passion of his country; and
WHEREAS, Hugh Masekela served 30 years in exile for his role in the anti-apartheid movement; and
WHEREAS , Hugh Masekela's first song, Grazing in the Grass" topped the U.S. charts in 1968 and sold over 4 million copies worldwide; and
WHEREAS, in 1987 Hugh Masekela released a hit
single "Bring Him Back Home" which became the anthem for the movement to free former South African President Nelson Mandela; and
WHEREAS, Hugh Masekela has performed with many jazz ensembles and been featured in various South African
documentary films; and
WHEREAS, Hugh Masekela gave a critically acclaimed performance at the 2010 World Cup KicK-Off concert in South Africa; and
WHEREAS, Hugh Masekela was nominated for and has received several awards, including the African Music Legend Award, the Lifetime
Achievement Award and the 2002 International Award of the Year;
NOW THEREFORE, I, John P. de Jongh,
Jr. , Governor of the United States Virgin Islands, by virtue of the authority vested
in me by the Revised Organic Act of 1954, as amended, do hereby
proclaim. "Hugh Masekela Day" on Friday, March 18th on St. Croix
and on Saturday, March 19th, 2011 on St . Thomas in the
United States Virgin Islands in honor of this great musician, and human
and civil rights activist. I call on all residents and community
organizations to join with me in this observance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and cause
the Seal. of the Government of the Virgin Islands
of the United States to be affixed at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin
Islands, this 11th day of March, 2011, A.D.
John P.
de Jongh, Jr.
Governor
Attest:
Gregory
R. Francis
Lt. Governor
|
|
| |
|
