Living in SA
Friday 14 November 2008
Yesterday South Africa began a period of official mourning for one of our most loved musicians, Miriam Makeba. Miriam Makeba, 76, died shortly after performing at a concert in Italy on Sunday 9 November. According to her band, she enjoyed the performance, and finished it with one of her most famous songs, Pata pata (Touch, touch). A fitting exit for a dedicated musician and remarkable human being.
Miriam Makeba singing Pata pata in Brazil
Miriam Makeba's warmth and humanity informed her life and her music. Her commitment to Africa earned her the name Mama Africa; but also brought her pain, as her outspokenness against apartheid led to 31 years of exile after the apartheid regime revoked her South African citizenship in 1960. Other sorrows, such as the death of her daughter, did not diminish her joy or vitality.
Miriam Makeba singing Oxgam
Despite being the first African woman to win a grammy, one of Africa's best known musicians, and singing with world reknowned musicians such as Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba remained a humble person. I remember a radio interview I heard with her, where in talking about her early years touring with the musical, King Kong, she told the story of how, the first time flying overseas, she went and changed into her pyjamas when the lights were dimmed on the plane. Her ability to share stories like this, along with her exceptional musical talent, and her commitment to music and human rights, explains why she is loved and revered, and will be sorely missed.
Miriam Makeba, is one of singers in this video of Nkosi Sikel' iAfrika. The videa was taken at the Paul Simon Graceland concert in Zimbabwe in 1987. Her first husband, South African musician Hugh Masekela, is also in the video along with South African guitarist Ray Phiri and the South African group Ladysmith Black Mambaso.
Miriam Makeba's first husband was Hugh Masekela, and she was also married to the activist Stokely Carmichael. A memorial service, open to the public, is to be held on Saturday 15 November at the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg. Hamba Kahle Miriam Makeba.
Miriam Makeba singing Pata pata in Brazil
Miriam Makeba's warmth and humanity informed her life and her music. Her commitment to Africa earned her the name Mama Africa; but also brought her pain, as her outspokenness against apartheid led to 31 years of exile after the apartheid regime revoked her South African citizenship in 1960. Other sorrows, such as the death of her daughter, did not diminish her joy or vitality.
Miriam Makeba singing Oxgam
Despite being the first African woman to win a grammy, one of Africa's best known musicians, and singing with world reknowned musicians such as Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba remained a humble person. I remember a radio interview I heard with her, where in talking about her early years touring with the musical, King Kong, she told the story of how, the first time flying overseas, she went and changed into her pyjamas when the lights were dimmed on the plane. Her ability to share stories like this, along with her exceptional musical talent, and her commitment to music and human rights, explains why she is loved and revered, and will be sorely missed.
Miriam Makeba, is one of singers in this video of Nkosi Sikel' iAfrika. The videa was taken at the Paul Simon Graceland concert in Zimbabwe in 1987. Her first husband, South African musician Hugh Masekela, is also in the video along with South African guitarist Ray Phiri and the South African group Ladysmith Black Mambaso.
Miriam Makeba's first husband was Hugh Masekela, and she was also married to the activist Stokely Carmichael. A memorial service, open to the public, is to be held on Saturday 15 November at the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg. Hamba Kahle Miriam Makeba.
Labels: Graceland concert, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Oxgam, Pata pata, Paul Simon, South African music
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