GOODBYE “MAMA AFRICA” November 10, 2008
Posted by frostygirl in News.Tags: mama Africa, miriam makeba
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Miriam Makeba died at the age of 76 of a heart attack in Italy after a concert. She was known as “Mama Africa” to all her loyal supporters.
Mama Africa sang about all the independence struggles of the continent. “People gave me that name. At first I said to myself: ‘Why do they want to give me that responsibility, carrying a whole continent?’ Then I understood that they did that affectionately. So I accepted. I am Mama Africa.”
After a career of more than 50 years, South Africa’s legendary singer and anti-apartheid activist Miriam had decided she would end her performing days with a farewell international tour. Little did she know that she would die whilst on tour.
Former South African President, Nelson Mandela paid homage to her calling her “South Africa’s First Lady of song” and continued by saying that she had given South Africans hope through her songs.
Leaving South Africa on tour in 1959, Makeba, who “never sang of politics, only the truth”, paid with 31 years of exile for her commitment to human rights. Having condemned apartheid all the way to the United Nations, she was banished and didn’t see her hometown Johannesburg until the freeing of Nelson Mandela in 1990.
The next Makeba? “No, nobody can replace me as I can’t replace anyone else,” said the singer, who wants to leave a memory of, simply, a “very good old lady”. - Sapa-AFP
She will be sadly missed.
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I am saddened at this news beyond your understanding. She was my very first introduction to South Africa. Before Miriam, I couldn’t even find it on a map. Rest in peace, sweet one.