Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba
Paul Weinberg · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Miriam Makeba
Caption	Makeba in 1966
Birth name	Zenzile Miriam Makeba
Birth date	4 March 1932
Birth place	Johannesburg, Union of South Africa
Death date	9 November 2008
Death place	Castel Volturno, Italy
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, actress, activist
Spouse	Sonny Pillay (m. 1949; div. ?), James Kubheka (m. ?; div. ?), Hugh Masekela (m. 1964; div. 1966), Stokely Carmichael (m. 1968; div. 1978), Bageot Bah (m. 1981; div. ?)
Children	Bongi Makeba
Awards	Grammy Award (1966), Dag Hammarskjöld Peace Prize (1986)

Miriam Makeba. Zenzile Miriam Makeba was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and outspoken opponent of apartheid and white-minority rule. Often referred to as "Mama Africa," she popularized African music around the world and blended musical traditions with potent political messages. Her career was defined by international acclaim, a lengthy exile from her homeland, and lifelong humanitarian activism, making her a global symbol of the fight for dignity and freedom.

Early life and career

Born in Johannesburg during the era of the Union of South Africa, her early life was marked by hardship, including a brief imprisonment as an infant alongside her mother. Her professional singing career began in the 1950s with the South African group the Manhattan Brothers, before she formed her own all-female ensemble, the Skylarks. She gained significant local fame with her role in the anti-apartheid musical film *King Kong* and her recording of the hit song "Pata Pata." During this period, she performed for audiences in Southern Africa, including in Mozambique and Rhodesia.

International breakthrough and exile

Her international breakthrough came after appearing in the documentary Come Back, Africa in 1959, which led to invitations to the Venice Film Festival and later to London. Sponsored by Harry Belafonte, she traveled to the United States, where her 1960 album *Miriam Makeba* and a performance at President John F. Kennedy's birthday party at Madison Square Garden catapulted her to stardom. In 1963, after testifying against apartheid before the United Nations Committee on Apartheid, the South African government revoked her passport, forcing her into a 31-year exile. She lived primarily in the United States and later Guinea.

Musical style and influence

Her music was a pioneering fusion of South African styles like mbube, marabi, and isicathamiya with jazz, folk music, and Latin American music. She performed in languages including Xhosa, Zulu, and English, introducing global audiences to songs like "The Click Song" (Qongqothwane) and "Malaika." Her collaborations with artists such as Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone, and Paul Simon on his *Graceland* tour were highly influential, helping to bridge cultural divides and inspire the world music genre.

Activism and philanthropy

Her activism was inextricably linked to her artistry. She used her platform to tirelessly campaign against the apartheid regime, addressing bodies like the United Nations General Assembly. Her marriage to Stokely Carmichael of the Black Panther Party led to professional backlash in the United States, but she continued her work from Guinea. She served as a Guinean delegate to the United Nations and was awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Peace Prize. Her philanthropic efforts focused on humanitarian causes across Africa, including support for refugees and children's welfare.

Later life and legacy

Following the end of apartheid, she returned to South Africa in 1990 after the personal intervention of Nelson Mandela. She continued to record and perform globally, releasing albums like *Homeland* in 2000. She remained active in charitable work, particularly through her role as a FAO Goodwill Ambassador. She died in 2008 after a concert in Castel Volturno, Italy. Her legacy includes a Grammy Award, numerous honorary doctorates, and her enduring status as a cultural icon. Major artists from Angelique Kidjo to Beyoncé cite her influence, and her life is commemorated in films, biographies, and the Miriam Makeba Centre for Girls in South Africa.

Category:South African singers Category:South African anti-apartheid activists Category:Grammy Award winners