Tribute to Miriam Makeba- "Mama Africa"

4th March, 1932 in Johannesburg, South Africa, a baby was delivered into the world; With a clenched fist filled with musical talents. She rose to become known as "Mama Africa". This baby was no other person but MIRIAM MAKEBA.

She started her singing career in the 1950s and was very active in the struggle against apartheid.

For starring in an anti-apartheid documentary film "Come Back, Africa" her passport was revoked and was forced into exile, in 1959. She did not return to South Africa, until 1990 after Nelson Mandela was released from prison.

Before then, in 1966, she became the first black African woman to win a Grammy Award, which she shared with Harry Belafonte. She paired with Paul Simon during the Graceland Tour in 1987 and was noted for her role in the musical film, Sarafina, based on Soweto Riots.

She took ill, after performing at a concert, near the southern town of Caserta, in Italy. The concert was against organised crime, which has been blamed for the September massacre of six immigrants from Ghana.

Amongst her most popular songs are Malaika, Pata Pata and the Click Song.

Though gone beyond our reach, I can still hear the echoes of her words:

"You sing about those things that surround you, our surrounding has always been that of suffering from apartheid and the racism that exists in our country. So our music has to be affected by all that."

Adieu Miriam Makeba, adieu Mama Africa.

Enjoy Mama Afrika's songs by typing Miriam Makeba into >>  Enter artist or band column in  ===> JUKEBLOG MPLAYER <===    click search to list, then click PLAY button on the player.
You can also use the "Google Custom Search" at the top of the page for more and any other related stories on her.

Other Sources:
YouTube: Pata Pata (Time: 3:03)
YouTube: With Paul Simon (Time: 4:03)
YouTube: The Click Song (Time: 4:50)
YouTube: Anampondo (Time: 5:00)
YouTube: Soweto Blues (Time: 5:23)