by Karamo Nimaga

Created on: November 26, 2008

The African continent, the entertainment world and even those who don't love music mourns the death of Miriam Makeba , South Africa's legendary anti-apartheid musician and singer icon.Miriam Makeba transcended nationality throughtout the world and at the beginning of her career proofed to the apartheid government that nothing could stop her from generating her typical brand of magic in music.This was one of the many reasons why she was loved by many people around the world.She was crowned the EMPRESS OF AFRICA and "MAMA AFRICA" and until her death she was considered the most important female vocalist to come out of South Africa. Makeba ranked 38 among the 100 most important and famouse South Africans.

From her hospital bed in Southern Italy where she died to everywhere around the world ,everyone even those who have never met her mourns Makeba's death. Miriam Makeba was born in Johannesburg in 1932.She died at the age 76 on Sunday November 9, 2008. Throughout her life,she remained an international icon in African music.Miriam Makeba during beginning of her career which debuted in New York with the Manhattan Brothers,helped to increase worldwide attention on racial segregation and the evils of apartheid.Her relentless activism to expose the obnoxious regimes in apartheid South Africa sent her in exile for thirty-one years.Like many of the post apartheid heroes sent into exile or kept behind bars, Makeba left everything behind her that was dear to her including her family and country when the apartheid regime had her citizenship revoked in 1960.That forced her to consider herself as a "WORLD CITIZEN" and this continued on until the fall of the apartheid regime.

During her three decades of exile,she lived in the United States where she recorded her first single "LAKUTSHONALLANGE" in 1953.Makeba's breakthrough hit in the United States came in 1967,when PATA PATA charted.From the United States she moved to France ,Guinea in West Africa where she was well received by the late President of Guinea Ahmed Saikou Toure.From Guinea she also lived in Belgium.However her greatest achievement was in 1976 when she spoke before the United Nations where she denounced apatheid's policy of racial segregation.The brave female legend continued to dominate the African musicial industry at her time.

Her depature leaves indelible memories on the mind of millions but the greatest of all is her legacy and contribution to what is now a democratic South Africa.The entire world misses her charisma and indefatigable personality during the struggle for liberation and equality,which took so many years to overcome.Miriam Makeba our companion, sister in faith and mother in society we pray that the Almighty God grant you the best place in Heaven where all miseries are banished and peace and joy ever more abide. Amen!

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