Makeba Forever

Legendary South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba will always be remembered…

Article: Lee-Shay Collison

12 reasons why we love Miriam

Mama Afrika, as she was affectionately known, boasted a stellar career spanning 50 years.

Her love for music and singing began as a child in her home town of Johannesburg. Her big break came when she starred in the anti-Apartheid documentary Come Back, Africa in 1959.

Makeba was exiled from her homeland during Apartheid, returning home only 30 years later an icon of peace and strength for women worldwide.

Her talent took her abroad to London where she met up with Harry Belafonte, an American musician, who helped her gain fame and fortune in the United States. She released many of her most famous hits there including Pata Pata, The Click Song and Malaika.

In 1966, her recording with Harry Belafonte called "An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba," won her a Grammy Award making Miriam the first black African woman to acclaim such a prestigious honour. The album dealt with the political plight of black South Africans under Apartheid.

Miriam won several prizes for her work as a peace activist: she was awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Peace Prize in 1986 for serving as a Guinean delegate to the United Nations as well as the Gold Otto Hahn Peace Medal in 2001 from the United Nations Association of Germany, "for outstanding services to peace and international understanding."

In 1987, she published a moving autobiography entitled, Makeba: My Story.

Upon returning to South Africa in 1990, she starred in the acclaimed film Sarafina!, as well as documentary, Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony, where she and others recalled the days of Apartheid.

In January 2000, her album, Homeland, was nominated for a Grammy Award in the "Best World Music" category.

Miram began a worldwide farewell tour in 2005, holding concerts in all the countries she had visited during her working life.

To date, Makeba has released 26 albums, her last recorded album fittingly entitled “Makeba Forever”…

Even in her old-age, Miriam continued to take a stand for peace… She died of a heart-attack in Castel Volturno, Italy shortly after taking part in a concert to support writer Roberto Saviano in his stand against the Camorra, a mafia-like organisation. She was 76.

RIP Miriam... with love from the Women24 team.

Leave your tribute to Miriam in the comment box below.

- Women24

Your passion,drive and music prowess awakened us all, your energy and womeness sang out at every opportunity. we were deeply touched by your ability to transgender and will remember your voice in flight deep within the meaning of your special lyrics. You created such life within this wonderful world Ma Miriam that it is not possible to comprhend your passing. Thank you for all you did for the liberation of our people, aluta continua in peace and understanding of your beautiful ways. Ciao CJF

Mama afrika you did well during your time,rest in peace I Will always remember you with your song(sewelele).You also did well for south-africa culture music,i think you create good example for south african people and other countries.Robala gabotse Mama wa rona.

I was greatly & pleasantly priviledged to have been amongst the few or many who rubbed shoulders with Mama Africa during her living days/years. A special moment was when she asked to sing and perform a song for Sandile Memela (Arts & culture spokesperson), then arts editor at City Press, and I at her house before an interview that was to take place for the release and launch of her "HOMELAND" album. She offered us tea and something to drink as most parents would do to their children & the Africaness in her persona. Peter Makurube (most prominent African journalist, currently living in London) offered & insisted on us taking a picture with Mazi & today this is a picture I'll cherish for the remainder of my living years on this planet. Hamba kahle Mama Africa, you have run your race diligently & the memory of you shall forever live with us for generations to come. May Soul Rest In Peace. On behalf of Sheer Sound and all in the music industry, our deepest condolences to her family, friends and to all her fans both localy and internationaly...much love!!!

Last friday you sang in Paradiso, Amsterdam, Holland. We had the privilege to be there. The concert was formidable and the audience was a beautiful mix of young and old people, black, coloured, white, whatever. What joined us was the great respect for a great human being. You really made a difference! I will hear your music and call to our hearts as long as I live, whereever I go.

Mama Africa, love and respect are the answer to our African female prayers, and your achievements have assisted us in gaining this over the past decades. Thank you for instillling such rich qualities within us as young black females. You have inspired and touched us, and have aided the world in gradually eradicating male patriarchism and racist upheavels...we will continue to spread your message worldwide. Ulale ngoxolo Mama Makeba.

Rest in peace MAMA we will always remember u and the good work that u did 4 this country. i hope ur soul will find a better place in heaven and u will sing 4 G od with da other angels. we will always love u.