Eight (8) Biographical Notes About Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba is an African legend and icon.

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A Few Biographical Notes About Miriam Makeba

(1) She was born in Johannesburg. 

(2) When she was thirteen she entered a talent show at a missionary school and walked off with the first prize.

(3) In 1952 she was chosen to sing with the Manhattan Brothers and also toured South Africa with them.

(4) Then, in 1956 she wrote and released the song "Pata Pata". 
In 1959 she became the first South African to win a Grammy Award and that was a special occasion. 

(5) One of the saddest days of her life was when South Africa banned her from returning home because she appeared in a documentary called "Come Back Africa". This upset the apartheid government of South Africa. She only returned to South Africa 30 years later. 

(6) She toured with great singers such as Paul Simon, Nina Simone, Hugh Masekela, and Dizzy Gillespie. 

(7) Finally, Miriam returned to South Africa in December 1990, and it was one of the happiest days of her life. Four years later she started a charity project to raise funds to protect women in South Africa. Although she weathered many storms such as car accidents, a plane crash, and cancer. She had tried to remain active and serve her fellow South Africans.

(8) She passed away on November 9, 2008.  Her cause of death: heart attack.

TRIBUTE TO: Zenzile Miriam Makeba (4 March 1932 – 9 November 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist.

Thelma Ravell-Pinto & Rayner Ravell (2008) Obituary: African Icon: Miriam ‘Mama Africa’ Makeba, dies at age 76, Journal of the African Literature Association, 2:2, 274-281, DOI: 10.1080/21674736.2008.11690092

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