Miriam Makeba

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Zenzile Meriam Makeba is a giant in the legacy African music. Born 4 March 1932, in Johannesburg, South Africa, she was an emphatic musician, songwriter and actress famous for title tracks such as "Pata Pata" and "Igqirha lendlela".

During the apartheid years she joined the exiled diaspora traveling many countries in Africa, Europe and North America, using her artistic talents to shed light upon the injustices in South Africa.

She testified against the South African government at the United Nations and became involved in the civil rights movement to end the system of apartheid in South Africa.

She met Harrry Belafonte during her stay in London, and the duo went on to produce the album 'An evening with Belafonte/Makeba', which ultimately won a Grammy award in 1965 - the first for an African recording artist.

Makeba was among the first African musicians to receive worldwide recognition. She brought African music to a Western audience, and popularised the world music and Afropop genres.
The influence of her work in the civil rights movement will remain a shining beacon for the sacrifices Africans made in pursuit of liberation of the continent from the colonial clenches.

Zenzile passed away on 9 November 2008 in Castel Volturno, Italy. She suffered a heart attack after performing her most popular hit "Pata Pata".