Former E! personality and current ESPN X Games host Sal Masekela, who’s real name is Selema Mabena Masekela, has a lot more to him than meets the eye.
Sal Masekela Takes The Journey Of His Life In “Alekesam”
Yes, he is an amazing on-air presence and talent, but who knew that he was also a musician, as well as the son of a South-African famed musician and activist, Hugh Masekela, who was exiled from his family and his country for over 30 years as a result of apartheid.
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After being exiled from his country, Sal’s father traveled to America, where he was able to continue his life as well as pursue his music, which he used as a way to channel the turmoil of his life into his songs, spreading awareness of the issues that were happening back in his native land.
Not too long after the birth of Sal, Hugh left America to commute back to his homeland, leaving the boy here by himself.
For Sal, growing up in America was a completely different life that was unrelatable to that of his fathers, and the fact that he was never around, made him develop a resentment and disliking towards him.
But despite their many differences, they reconnected in Sal’s adulthood and found common ground through music.
Sal talks to GlobalGrind’s Sharon Carpenter about his father’s story, which also was debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in a documentary entitled Alekesam, the relationship the two of them have now, as well as their mutual attempt to connect to the world, and each other through music.
Check out the powerful interview above!
