Miriam Makeba, also known as Mama Africa, was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and activist who became one of the most influential and celebrated African musicians of the 20th century. She was born in Johannesburg in 1932, and started singing professionally in the 1950s with various groups, including the Manhattan Brothers and the Skylarks. She also starred in a musical version of King Kong and a documentary film called Come Back, Africa, which exposed the harsh realities of apartheid.

Makeba’s talent and charisma attracted international attention, and she was invited to perform in Europe and the United States. She met Harry Belafonte, who became her mentor and collaborator, and recorded her first solo album in 1960. She also sang at President John F. Kennedy’s birthday party in 1962, and won a Grammy Award with Belafonte for their album An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba in 1965.

Makeba’s music was a blend of traditional African melodies, jazz, pop, and world music. She sang in several languages, including Xhosa, Zulu, Swahili, and English. She introduced many African songs to Western audiences, such as “Pata Pata”, “The Click Song”, and “Malaika”. She also used her voice to speak out against apartheid and racism, and became a symbol of freedom and dignity for oppressed people around the world.

However, her activism came at a price. In 1960, the South African government revoked her citizenship and banned her from returning to her homeland. She also faced backlash from some white Americans when she married Stokely Carmichael, a leader of the Black Panther Party, in 1968. She was denied entry to the US and had to move to Guinea with her husband. She continued to perform in African countries and other parts of the world, and supported various causes, such as the fight against HIV/AIDS, women’s rights, and environmental issues.

In 1990, after the release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the end of apartheid, Makeba was finally able to return to South Africa. She received a warm welcome from her fans and fellow artists, and resumed her musical career. She collaborated with artists such as Nina Simone, Dizzy Gillespie, Paul Simon, and Angélique Kidjo, and appeared in films such as Sarafina! and Mama Africa. She also founded a charity organization, the Zenzile Miriam Makeba Foundation, to help children and women in need.

Makeba died in 2008, at the age of 76, after collapsing on stage during a concert in Italy. She was mourned by millions of people who admired her courage, beauty, and artistry. She left behind a rich legacy of music and activism that continues to inspire generations of Africans and people around the world. She was truly the voice of Africa, and a mother to all.

She is my favorite artiste due to the following reasons:

·        Her talent and unwavering commitment to justice caught my attention and so many   of her followers worldwide. Her music became a powerful tool in the fight for equality, and she became a symbol of hope for the oppressed continent,Africa.

• Her music is a blend of traditional African melodies, jazz, pop, and world music. She sang in several languages, including Xhosa, Zulu, Swahili, and English. She introduced many African songs to Western audiences, such as “Pata Pata”, “The Click Song”, and “Malaika”.

• Her music is a celebration of the spirit of Mama Africa, and it sparked a resurgence of interest in the legacy of Miriam Makeba. Her song “Makeba” by Jain serves as a tribute to this incredible woman, paying homage to the legendary artist who paved the way for so many.

• Her music is a reflection of her resilience and involvement in civil rights and anti-apartheid struggles. She testified against apartheid before the United Nations, collaborated with artists like Harry Belafonte and Nelson Mandela, and founded a charity organization to help children and women in need.

I still listen to her “malaika” songs which echoes down this spirit of being ana African within me.

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