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South Africa’s Miriam Makeba named a legend

Brand South Africa
|
December 10th, 2010

Ray Maota

Mama Afrika as Miriam Makeba was
affectionately known was a musical icon
and a human rights activist.

Alex Okosi, senior vice president and
MD of MTV Networks Africa, believes
Makeba is a true legend and is rightly
celebrated throughout the world.
(Images: Jamati.com)

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The late Miriam Makeba will be honoured at the upcoming MTV Africa Music Awards (Mamas) for her immeasurable talent and role in bringing African music into the global arena.

The icon, known for her worldwide hit song Pata Pata and her human rights campaigning, will be named the “Mama Legend” at a ceremony on 11 December 2010 in Lagos, Nigeria.

The awards, which have been running for three years, have also posthumously honoured South African reggae singer Lucky Dube (2009) and the Nigerian pioneer of afrobeat music and human rights activist, Fela Anikulapo Kuti (2008).

The Mamas are jointly hosted by MTV and Airtel, a global telecommunications company operating in 19 countries across Asia and Africa.

Andre Beyers, chief marketing officer of Airtel Africa, said: “Our support for this year’s awards was founded on our commitment to empower the youth through initiatives that will help Africa to identify and celebrate talent.”

“Miriam Makeba is a true legend and rightly celebrated throughout the world for her beautiful voice, fighting spirit and pioneering interpretation of African music,” added Alex Okosi, senior vice-president and MD of MTV Networks Africa.

MTV recognises African talent

MTV Networks Africa – which oversees MTV, VH1, MTV Base and Nickelodeon channels in sub-Saharan Africa – introduced the Mamas in 2008 after realising that no MTV awards honoured African artists alone.

The first ceremony was held at the Velodrome in Abuja, Nigeria, on 22 November 2008, with the following year’s taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, on 10 October.

D’Banj, P-Square, Seether, Jozi, Nameless, 2Face Idibia, Amani and Wahu have been other award recipients over the years.

The performance line-up at the 2010 ceremony includes African artists 2Face, Banky W, Barbara Kanam, Big Nuz, Cabo Snoop, D’Banj, Daddy Owen, Diamond, DJ Arafat, Fally Ipupa, J.Martins, Jozi, Paul G, P-Unit, Radio & Weasel, Teargas, Wande Coal, Sarkodie and the Parlotones.

US hip-hop sensation Rick Ross and T-Pain will also perform.

Africa’s gem

Makeba was born in Johannesburg in 1932 to a Xhosa father and a Swati mother, who was a traditional healer.

Her musical genius was first recognised after winning a talent show at the missionary school she attended. At the age of 20 Makeba began singing with The Manhattan Brothers, a South African jazz band, and toured the country with them.

Her popularity grew further when she landed a role in King Kong, a legendary South African musical about the life of a boxer.

Makeba also starred in the film Come Back Africa, where she played herself in a dramatised documentary about the lives of black people in South Africa. When the director of the film invited her to join him at the 1959 Venice Film Festival, she gained instant celebrity status.

Later Makeba moved to New York where famed singer, actor and producer Harry Belafonte took her under his wing, helping her record Pata Pata and Qongqothwane (also known as the Click Song), which remain her most popular songs to date.

Although a star overseas, Makeba’s songs were banned in South Africa under the apartheid regime. She could not even return to the country in 1960 to bury her mother, as her passport was revoked.

While under Belafonte’s wing, she mingled with the rich and famous, including former US president John F Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. She also won a Grammy award for her work with Belafonte, making her the first African woman to do so.

She used her fame to add weight to her fight against apartheid and oppression, and in her campaigning for universal human rights. Makeba was recognised for this with the Dag Hammarskjold Peace Prize in 1986. She was also awarded the Unesco Grand Prix du Conseil International de la Musique award for her audio-visual contribution to African heritage in the same year.

Following more than 30 years in exile, Makeba returned to her homeland in 1990 after former president Nelson Mandela was released from prison.

Once back in the country, Makeba continued her fight against oppression of all kinds and was appointed a UN Goodwill Ambassador in 1999.

After an illustrious career spanning over five decades, the songbird died from a heart attack following a performance in Italy on 10 November 2008. She was 76 at the time.