Known as "Mama Africa", Miriam Makeba is a legend who has lived an extraordinary life. Born in South Africa in 1932, Makeba's incredible voice won her the lead role in King Kong, together with Hugh Masekela, her future husband.
She went on to conquer America where she sang at President Kennedy's birthday and worked with Harry Belafonte creating classics such as The Click Song and Pata Pata. In 1963, after testifying against apartheid before the United Nations, Makeba was exiled. She returned to prominence when she performed with Paul Simon on 1987's Graceland tour. Her 2000 album Homeland was Grammy nominated. Finally, in the late 1980's she returned to her homeland as a free South African and continued to tour, perform and thrill audiences worldwide. She passed away in 2008 at the age of 76.
The image below by Alf Kumalo.
