Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba posing for a photo(1968)

Zenzi Miriam Makeba (March 4, 1932 - November 9, 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, was a South African singer, actress, and activist. She was against racial segregation which happened during the 20th century in South Africa.She shaped the new transition of black empowerment through her nationally and somehow globally acclaimed music.

Early life

Makeba was born in a town near Johannesburg, South Africa on March 4, 1932. Her town was segregated. Makeba started to sing in her school/church choir. She found comfort in singing and music.

Middle Life

Makeba started singing professionally in 1950. She first sang with her cousin's group. They were called the Cuban Brothers. She was also in two other groups called the Manhattan Brothers and the Skylarks. Makeba was in movies and musicals as well. She was in the musical King Kong in 1959, the movie Come Back, Africa, and she recorded music with Harry Belafonte.

Come Back, Africa criticized segregation in South Africa. The South African government banned her from South Africa. Harry Belafonte helped Makeba come to the United States of America. They became friends and made an album together. The album was called “An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba.” They won a Grammy award in 1966 for that album.

Late Life

Makeba married a jazz trumpet player named Hugh Masekela in 1964. Makeba divorced him in 1966. She then married Stokely Carmichael in 1968. He was a Civil Rights leader. She divorced him in 1978. Makeba came back to South Africa in 1990. The government started removing laws that made South Africa segregated. Makeba then died on November 9th 2008.