Miriam Makeba (4 March 1932 – 9 November 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, was a Grammy Award-winning South African singer and civil rights activist.In the 1960s, she was the first artist from Africa to popularize African music around the world. She is best known for the song "Pata Pata", first recorded in 1957 and released in the U.S. in 1967. She recorded and toured with many popular artists, such as Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon, and her former husband Hugh Masekela.Makeba campaigned against the South African system of apartheid. The South African government responded by revoking her passport in 1960 and her citizenship and right of return in 1963. As the apartheid system crumbled she returned home for the first time in 1990.Makeba died of a heart attack on 9 November 2008 after performing in a concert in Italy organised to support writer Roberto Saviano in his stand against the Camorra, a mafia-like organisation local to the region of Campania.
Prospect Township, near Johannesburg, South Africa
Profession
Soundtrack, Actress, Composer
Nationality
South African
Spouse
Stokely Carmichael, Hugh Masekela, Sonny Pilay, Pata Pata, Malaika, The Click Song
Children
Bongi Makeba
Parents
Caswell Makeba, Christina Makeba, Pata Pata, Malaika, The Click Song
Awards
Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording, Otto Hahn Peace Medal in Gold, Polar Music Prize for Popular Music, Pata Pata, Malaika, The Click Song
Nominations
Grammy Award for Best New Artist, Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Pata Pata, Malaika, The Click Song
Movies
Paul Simon and Friends, Sarafina!, Have You Seen Drum Recently?, Amok
She was a UN representative for Guinea, for which she was presented with the Dag Hammarskjöld Peace Prize in 1986.
3
A Johannesburg club singer who became an important voice for the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, she paid a high price for her activism. While she was out of the country, the government revoked her passport, so she could not attend her mother's funeral.
4
First African woman to win a Grammy.
5
American-born (with one Jamaican parent) folk singer/activist. Harry Belafonte first saw her in the independent film Come Back, Africa (1959) and arranged for both her U.S. concert debut and a recording contract with RCA Victor. An album they recorded together, "An Evening with Belefonte/Makeba" (RCA Victor: 1965), went on to win a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Recording. Other U.S. albums, on RCA and Reprise, include "Miriam Makeba," "The Voice of Africa," "In Concert at Philharmonic Hall," and "Pata Pata." She was married to musician Hugh Masekela and activist Stokely Carmichael (later Kwame Ture).
6
Her real name, as she clarifies in the 29 February 1960 issue of Time magazine is: Zensile Makeba Qgwashu Nguvama Yiketheli Nxgowa Bantana Balomzi Xa Ufnu Ubajabulisa Ubaphekeli Mbiza Yotshwala Sithi Xa Saku Qgiba Ukutja Sithathe Izitsha Sizi Khabe Singama Lawu Singama Qgwashu Singama Nqamla Nqgithi. "The reason for its length, " Ms. Makeba writes, "is that every child takes the first name of all his male ancestors. Often following the first name is a descriptive word or two, telling about the character of ther person, making a true African name somewhat like a story." (Letter reprinted in the 9 March 1998 issue of Time.)
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Half of a Yellow Sun
2013
performer: "Naughty Little Flea"
Aya of Yop City
2013
performer: "L'enfant et la gazelle"
Independent Lens
2012
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Mama Africa
2011
Documentary performer: "Soweto Blues", "Qogothwane The Click Song", "Pata Pata"
Sing Your Song
2011
Documentary performer: "Into Yam", "Love Tastes Like Strawberries", "Malayisha", "Nongoongod To Those We Love" / writer: "Into Yam", "Malayisha", "Nongoongod To Those We Love"
Soul Power
2008
Documentary performer: "The Click Song"
The Deal
2008/I
performer: "Pata Pata" / writer: "Pata Pata"
Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten
2007
Documentary performer: "Pata Pata"
Bobby
2006
performer: "Pata Pata" / writer: "Pata Pata"
Transamerica
2005
performer: "Jol'inkomo"
Veronica Mars
2004
TV Series 1 episode
Otto - Der Katastrofenfilm
2000
lyrics: "Dummasack" / music: "Dummasack"
Tohuwabohu
1997-1998
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
When We Were Kings
1996
Documentary performer: "Am Am Pondo" / writer: "Am Am Pondo"
Sarafina!
1992
performer: "Thank You Mama"
A Warm December
1973
lyrics: "NONQONQO" / music: "NONQONQO"
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Sarafina!
1992
Angelina
Have You Seen Drum Recently?
1989
Amok
1983
Joséphine Sempala
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Mama Africa
2011
Documentary
Help
2009/I
Short
Amok
1983
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Help
2009/I
Short musician: vocals
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Mama Africa
2011
Documentary in memory of
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony
2002
Documentary
Herself
Sacred Sounds
2000
Documentary
Herself
When We Were Kings
1996
Documentary
Herself
African Footsteps
1995
TV Series documentary
Herself - Interviewee
Children of Africa
1993
TV Special
Herself
American Masters
1993
TV Series documentary
Herself
The Cosby Show
1991
TV Series
Herself
Voices of Sarafina!
1988
Documentary
Herself
Freedomfest: Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday Celebratation
$950,000
