Miriam Makeba
Who was Miriam Makeba?
Singer and activist known as 'Mama Africa' who brought South African music to international audiences while living in exile during apartheid. She performed at the United Nations and major venues worldwide, advocating for civil rights and African independence.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Miriam Makeba (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Miriam Makeba (1932-2008) was a South African singer, composer, and civil rights activist who became internationally recognized as 'Mama Africa' for her role in introducing African music to global audiences. Born in Johannesburg during the height of colonial rule, she rose to prominence in the 1950s as a vocalist with the Manhattan Brothers and later the all-female group the Skylarks. Her career took a dramatic turn in 1959 when she appeared in the anti-apartheid documentary 'Come Back, Africa,' which led to her discovery by American audiences and subsequent exile from South Africa for over three decades.
Following her international breakthrough, Makeba relocated to the United States where she signed with RCA Records and achieved commercial success with songs like 'Pata Pata' and 'The Click Song.' Her marriage to jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela in 1964 united two of South Africa's most prominent musical exiles, though the union was brief. She became a powerful voice against apartheid, addressing the United Nations in 1963 and using her platform to advocate for African independence movements and civil rights causes worldwide.
Makeba's activism intensified following her 1968 marriage to Black Panther leader Stokely Carmichael, which resulted in cancelled concerts and recording contracts in the United States due to his controversial political positions. The couple relocated to Guinea, where President Sékou Touré provided them sanctuary. During her years in West Africa, she continued performing and recording while maintaining her commitment to pan-African causes and anti-apartheid activism.
After Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990, Makeba returned to South Africa, ending her 31-year exile. She resumed touring internationally and remained active in humanitarian causes until her death in 2008 in Castel Volturno, Italy, where she collapsed after performing at a concert supporting writer Roberto Saviano's anti-mafia campaign. Her career spanned five decades and included collaborations with artists ranging from Harry Belafonte to Paul Simon, establishing her as one of the first African musicians to achieve sustained international success.
Before Fame
Born in Johannesburg in 1932, Miriam Makeba grew up in poverty under South Africa's harsh racial laws. Her mother was a domestic worker, and her father, a Xhosa tribesman, passed away when she was young. Despite having little education, she showed amazing musical talent and started singing professionally as a teenager with local groups.
In the 1950s, her career took off when she joined the Manhattan Brothers, a well-known jazz group, and later formed the Skylarks, an all-female vocal ensemble. These groups mixed American jazz, traditional African music, and popular songs, creating the unique sound that would later win over audiences worldwide. Her role in Lionel Rogosin's documentary 'Come Back, Africa' in 1959 jump-started her international career and led to her permanent exile from South Africa.
Key Achievements
- First African woman to win a Grammy Award in 1966 with Harry Belafonte
- Testified before the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid in 1963
- Achieved international commercial success with 'Pata Pata' reaching US Top 20 in 1967
- Performed at major venues including Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl throughout her career
- Served as Guinea's delegate to the United Nations and later as UN Goodwill Ambassador
Did You Know?
- 01.She was the first African woman to win a Grammy Award, receiving the honor in 1966 for Best Folk Recording alongside Harry Belafonte for 'An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba'
- 02.Her signature song 'Pata Pata' was originally recorded in 1957 but became a worldwide hit only after its 1967 re-release, reaching number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100
- 03.She testified before the United Nations Special Committee on Apartheid in 1963, becoming one of the first entertainers to address the organization on political matters
- 04.Her marriage to Stokely Carmichael led to a de facto blacklist in the United States entertainment industry, forcing her to relocate to Guinea for nearly two decades
- 05.She served as a delegate to the United Nations for Guinea and was appointed as a UN Goodwill Ambassador in her later years