After more than 65 Africans protestors were assassinated on March 21 , 1960 in Sharpeville , South Africa , Hugh Masekela left the country .
Following 21 March 1960 Sharpeville massacre—where 69 protesting Africans were shot dead in Sharpeville , and the South African government banned gatherings of ten or more people—and the increased brutality of the Apartheid state , Masekela left the country .
Hugh Masekela