Miriam Makeba and Georges Collinet at the Kora Music Awards in Johannesburg

                        (Please send your own reflections to: info@afropop.org. We will pass on to Makeba family.)

Miriam Makeba, one of Africa’s all-time great artists, ambassador for the continent, and pioneering political activist, died on November 9^th. We asked the Afropop community to share their reflections and memories of this extraordinary artist. And many have sent moving tributes. You are most welcome to add your own. We will send them on to the Makeba family. Please forward this to any fan of Ms. Makeba you think might like to be part of this honoring.

From Afropop Worldwide Host Georges Collinet:

It was the early sixties, I had just arrived in the US. A young man in awe with this country; New York, the people, the music. Ah the music! I used to sing at the Figaro in Greenwich Village for pocket money. That’s where I met the fabulous African drummer Babatunde Olatunji. As we were hanging out he told me about this young lady from South Africa. She was statuesque, beautiful and what a voice! Her name was Miriam Makeba. Harry Belafonte, who was a huge superstar, championed her and brought her into the spotlight. I heard her, I saw her … I fell in love.

When I got my show on the Voice of America, she was a constant companion; I played Miriam’s music every day on “Bonjour l’Afrique.” The chief producer at the time wanted me to remove the clicks in the click song. He thought they were defects in the vinyl! Later I heard that my show was one of the few programs where South Africans could hear her songs. Miriam’s music was banned in her beloved country, her passport revoked. Like me, she was in exile. We were conscientious objectors. She was against apartheid; I was against the war in Algeria. At the time, Miriam, Olatunji and Hugh Masekela were the only Africans on the American scene and for me they were a great source of pride.

Then Miriam married Stokely Carmichael and left for Guinea in West Africa. The beautiful voice disappeared in the plush luxurious rooms of African politics and diplomacy.

After 31 years of exile and tribulations Miriam returned to South Africa, to a hero’s welcome. Nelson Mandela said, ”She was a mother to our struggle and to our young nation.” The lady who created “world music” – her songs were a mix of African, Xhosa, European and American styles – has gone the way she always wished, singing. She is leaving a big void in our heart and soul. I was privileged to present to the nightingale of Africa, to Mama Africa, the Kora’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Johannesburg.

Long live the Empress of African music Miriam Makeba!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From Sean Barlow, Executive Producer, Afropop Worldwide:

The last time I saw Miriam perform was in Soweto on Easter Sunday 2004. I was in South Africa reporting on the tenth anniversary of the end of apartheid and the beginning of the new non-racial democracy spotlighted by the inauguration of Nelson Mandela. The theme of the concert in Soweto that day was “South African Divas” and featured the greats of South African women singers. The crowd was almost entirely black and we felt very much welcomed. I felt so lucky to be there. One by one the ladies took the stage and gave stellar performances—Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Dorothy Masuka & Dolly Rathebe, (who along with Miriam were the fabulously successful Skylarks in the 1950’s), the Mahotella Queens, Brenda Fassie (her last performance), Thandiswa, and to cap the evening, Miriam. The audience up front pressing against the fence were mostly teenage girls. Despite their two generation age gap, these girls were transfixed, their faces glowing. To bridge a 50 something age difference is no small feat. I wondered what was going through their heads—enjoyment of the songs, an electric feeling of being close to an icon who meant so much for the anti-apartheid struggle internationally and nationally, a role model of how a woman could rise to the top of her field. Probably all the above. For the girls in Soweto that day and for everyone whose music and life she touched, thank you Mama Africa!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“I heard of Mama Africa’s passing with much sadness. Miriam Makeba became my mother's favorite artist back in 1977 when she came to Nigeria to perform at the 2nd World and Black Festival of Arts and Culture, FESTAC ‘77. My mother was ill at the time and in hospital. Makeba was on television every day, and my mother would prop her head on the pillow to watch and sometimes sing along. Mother made a quick recovery, and I have been a fan of Makeba's ever since. Although, I never had the opportunity to see her perform live, she nonetheless inspired me with her numerous songs. “Malaika” is easily my favorite. She will be missed for her courage, her outspoken opposition to oppression and the grace with which she represented African womanhood. Long live Mama Africa! May she rest in the peace of the Lord.”
~Nebolisa ‘Neb’ Ajide

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“I was 12 years old when Miriam Makeba had her hit record PATA PATA. I was growing up in the working class town of Chester, PA. We young Black Americans were just beginning to acknowledge our connection to Africa in a proud and positive way.  How electrifying it was to hear that song on the radio and know that she was from Africa.  In 1988, I remember attending a concert at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco with Hugh Masekela. She sang A LUTA CONTINUA during the height of the anti-apartheid struggle and the crowd went wild when she sang "In South Africa, A Luta Continua".  Back then, I got a lump in my throat and tears came to my eyes. Just like now as I think of her music and what it means to me.”
~Cornelius Moore, California Newsreel 1968-2008 Media for Social Change for 40 Years.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“When I think of Miriam Makeba or when I hear her music, I am filled with a sense of joy and a strong nostalgia.  Every single Sunday when I was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, my father would play her music and we would all dance around the living room with great abandon. Miriam Makeba was the voice of joyful resistance, a political presence with an important message, and a powerfully beautiful part of my childhood. My father was a progressive politician who worked with JFK and RFK, and he was inspired by Miriam. Today I have been sending her Youtube concert videos to all of my family members, and I shed tears but with a smile, as I remembered her and as I remembered my father, now also gone. I am thankful we all had Miriam in our lives. She will be missed but she lives on.
--Louise Silberling

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“My name is Errol Montes-Pizarro. I am Puerto Rican. I never had the chance to meet Miriam in person, but ever since I heard her music she became part of my family. When my son Daniel (22 years old) was five years old he kept asking me why we did not invite Miriam Makeba for dinner. She was so present in our daily lives that my son thought she was like an aunt that he had not met. Miriam Makeba was a dear friend in moments of profound joy, as when Apartheid was finally defeated, and in moments of sadness. I found comfort in Miriam's music and found strength in her example of sacrifice and courage. I deeply admire her.”
~Errol L. Montes-Pizarro, producer and host of the radio program Rumba Africa broadcasted by Radio Universidad de Puerto Rico.



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“I woke up this morning to find out that Miriam Makeba had died. Damn, damn, damn. I so wanted to hear her sing in South Africa. That voice, that smile and that spirit. Her songs were part of the soundtrack of my childhood and now I realize that all of those songs about struggle and fighting and keeping the joy were just blueprints for adulthood. My mother used to put on her Miriam Makeba records when she was feeling low and say "If Miriam can sing, so can I used to think she meant that she too could get a record contract. In the 1970's, Miriam was in exile, her country under the vicious grip of apartheid, she couldn't even go back to bury her mother. Yet she sang and her songs fueled a revolution. Whatever our struggles personal, professional or global we have the beacon of Mama Afrika to guide our way.  Sing y'all, even if it's just to yourself. If Miriam could sing so can we and we too can change our world. Every revolution needs a soundtrack, put Miriam on yours.”

Lala salaama Mamma Afrika.
~Sylvana

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In 1960 I was still in grammar school and living in a small NJ town just across the bay from NYC. I was always a lover of ALL kinds of music. As a young teen in the fifties & sixties there was much to choose from. After listening to R&B, R&R, Folk, Jazz, and Latin, I had my first taste of music from African artists. African rhythms spoke to my soul, from Afro-Cuban artist, like Joe Cuba, Mongo Santa Maria to African musicians like Hugh Masakela and Olatunji.

"The Click Song" was my introduction to Miriam Makeba. I bought her album and wore the grooves out on that record. Her voice on "Jikele Maweni" cut through me like a knife, yet that same voice was like a soft breeze on "Suliram". It's sad to know she has passed on but we will always have her with us in her music.
~J. P. Hay




+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“I've never seen Miriam Makeba on stage, but have been so touched by her music. Like those young girls in Soweto Mr. Barlow described, I'd have done anything in my power to get a glimpse of Mama Africa. I'm saddened to know that I'll never get to meet you in person; however, I still feel very fortunate to have met you through your golden voice, and you're forever "tattooed" in our hearts. You lived to see change in your beloved country, change in the US, and hopefully in the world some day; so rest in Peace Mama Africa, the world is getting a little better because of committed people like you.”
~Sali Greeley

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The very first world music show I ever did on the radio, in 1988, on KPFA FM in Berkeley, California, was an hour special on the life and music of Miriam Makeba. She is a HISTORIC PIONEER in the international story of women in music, and her legacy will live on to inspire all of us. Love to you, Miriam, where ever you are now. On of my greatest joys was to emcee for her a few years back at the Mountain Winery in California.  I remember her Queenly presence backstage. She had a tremendous aura about her of royalty and what we might call a great spiritual energy.
~Sandy Miranda, radio host/producer since 1988

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Not long after being introduced to Miriam’s music and becoming quite a fan, I had a chance to go see her at Place Des Arts in Montreal. She was singing with her grand daughter, and Hugh Masakela was also performing. It was so gorgeous and inspiring...a night I will never forget! I now live in Boston, have been to Africa a couple of times and still find myself always going back to the music of my twenties;  the passion, beauty and rhythm of those first African artists I came to love. On days when I feel uninspired and needing a little something to give me strength, I put my ipod on with some Miriam Makeba and go for a run along the Charles River. She, to me, optimizes a life lived to the fullest with incredible dignity, courage, beauty and grace. A part of her will always be in my heart and soul as she will be to so many other millions. Thank you Miriam for being an inspirational example and such a bright light!
~Saya Cullinan
Boston, MA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I Am So Shock And Saddened To Hear My Sister,Miriam Makeba Died. She Will Always Be Remembered In My Heart.She Started The Click Songs And The Boot Dances.Many Times I Attended Her Concerts.The Best One,I Remember Was In Central Park Summer Stage. The Whole Family Was On The Stage And The Performance Was Wonderful. Her Grand Daughter Has A Wonderful Voice,Just Like  Grandma. It Was An Honor For Me To Attend That Free Concert In Central Park.I Will Never Forget That. So My Sister You Are At Rest Now.
 Loving Sister
~Helen Martinez
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We encourage you to share your memories and recollections of Mama Makeba with the Afropop community. We will pass all of them on to the Makeba family: info@afropop.org.


Afropop recommends: For the story of her life in her own words, we highly recommend her autobiography “Makeba, My Story.” Two of our favorite albums from the latter part of her career are “Sangoma” and “Homeland.” And her early recordings with the Skylarks in the 1950’s are gems too.

First published: www.afropop.org