Ikenna Ike- Who was Miriam Makeba?
Her life and work.
Makeba’s beginnings: During a time of economic depression in Johannesburg, South Africa, Miriam Makeba was born on March 4th, 1932. Her mother was imprisoned for illegally brewing beer as a way to gain more money, in order to afford food.
A young talent: Makeba’s father died when she was five years old, and she was sent to live with her grandmother at a compound in Riverside, Pretoria. Makeba loved to sing at church since a very young age, and during the 1947 Royal Visit, she performed her first solo.
Slowly approaching music: She lived in Sophiatown, the scene of kwela music, marabi and African jazz and big band music became popular. She moved in to help her mother clean houses, during a time when it was a happier place and racism wasn’t as rampant.
How it began: Makeba’s music career started with the Cuban Brothers, but gained fame with the Manhattan Brothers in 1954. She toured South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the Congo, and later joined the Skylarks. She appeared in Come Back Africa and King Kong, and later married Hugh Masekela in 1964.
Building herself up: King Kong, a South African jazz opera, was a success, performed at universities to avoid apartheid laws. Makeba received an award for her role in Come Back Africa, but she faced problems with South African authorities and decided not to return to the country.
Like the phoenix: Makeba’s passport was revoked by the government, becoming the first black musician to leave South Africa due to apartheid. She immigrated to the USA in the 1960s, where she gained fame and even performed for President Kennedy.
Injustice never ends: In 1960, she returned to South Africa for her mother’s funeral but lost her passport. In 1963, she testified against apartheid at the UN, causing her South African citizenship to be revoked. Later she moved to the US, where she won a Grammy award in 1966.
Starting in activism: In 1968, Makeba married Stokely Carmichael, an African-American civil rights activist and Black Panther leader. She toured Europe, South America, and Africa, addressing the apartheid with the UN General Assembly, and was awarded the Dag Hammarskjold Peace Prize in 1986.
Getting strong: Makeba suffered a separation, alcohol abuse, and cervical cancer in the 80s. Called out racist policies in Paul Simon’s Graceland tour, and performed for presidents and the Pope. She returned to South Africa after Nelson Mandela’s release, and became a UN goodwill ambassador.
Reaching towards the stars: She made her album “Homecoming” upon returning to South Africa. She appeared in movies like Mama and Amandla, and received honorary doctorates. Even Nelson Mandela presented her with the Presidential Award in 1999.
It was good while it lasted: Makeba announced her retirement from the mainstream music industry in 2005, but she kept appearing and performing in smaller venues. Makeba stated her music was not intentionally political during her entire career.
Her last days: She continued with activism through her foundation, creating HIV/Aids awareness and supporting campaigns against drug abuse. Makeba died at 76 years of age in 2008, because of a heart attack after a performance for Roberto Saviano, near the southern Italian town of Caserta.
