Since the passing of South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela earlier this year, tributes have continued to pour in. Fans recognize his global achievements, his activism, and his contribution to South African musical theater. CGTN's Julie Scheier has more.

JULIE SCHEIER JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA "Hugh Masekela, the late jazz maestro is being celebrated in an exclusive four performance season here at Joburg theatre. A lot is known about legend Bra Masekela, but less about his affection and contribution to musical theatre in South Africa."

The tribute featured pieces from some of his most loved collaborators, shining a spotlight on South African talent.

MAKHOLA NDEBELE DIRECTOR "We are celebrating his four theatrical contributions to theatre, which is Gone Native, the most famously known as Sarafina and also Songs of Migration. So we thought let's have an evening where we are celebrating his life just after his 79th birthday we thought it would happen in April and be perfect for May with Arica Month because the Hugh Masekela heritage foundation is really strong with African heritage."

THEMBI KHUMALO MUSICIAN "To me, it's like to know about Bra Hugh and to know that he did so much for the industry. It's such an honour and actually pushes you as a young performer, to say, if he did it, he was a human being. If he did it, so can I. He inspired a lot of young people, myself included. We would sing his songs at home and now that I sing and now what I sing these songs I'm like what an honour to portray the life of such a great man who did such a difference in the music industry."

Fans came out in numbers to celebrate and reminisce the great moments shared through his music.

"I think today is particularly sentimental, because when you think about the role Hugh Masekela played within the South African music context and also the reach that he had from an international point of view it would just be silly of us not to be here and be part of that celebration."

Bra Hugh, as he was affectionately known, graced stages across the world, and uplifted a nation through his timeless music.

MAKHOLA NDEBELE DIRECTOR "What's important is that we are at a point in the country where we really need to dig out the treasures of the past; so that the next generation is aware of that and it gives them more confidence especially in the arts because for a lot of the time people think it's as if we did not exist beyond a certain time and they were a lot of people doing great work so it's really just to acknowledge the roots so that the tree can grow strong."

And, it's through such tributes that South Africans and the world will continue to spread the messages of hope that he so passionately sang about. Julie Scheier CGTN J, SA.