Difference between revisions of "Miriam Makeba"
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| − | + | [[Miriam Makeba]] (1932-2008) was a singer, songwriter, activist and actress. | |
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| + | <small>Fondly known as "the goddess of African song" she was also later known as "[[Mama Afrika]]".</small> | ||
| − | Return to [[ESAT Personalities M]] | + | == Biography == |
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| + | Born [[Zenzile Miriam Makeba]] (aka "Zenzi") 4 March 1932 in Prospect Township, Johannesburg, she started her career in the 1940'S as a young singer in church and school choirs near Pretoria. From there she then built her reputation in the music industry in the 1950s by singing for the [[Cuban Brothers]], [[The Manhattan Brothers]] and [[The Skylarks]]. | ||
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| + | In 1959 Makeba appeared as a singer in the anti-apartheid documentary ''[[Come Back, Africa]]'', which placed the [[Apartheid]] government under the international spotlight. As consequence she was subjected to harassment by the ruling party eventually leading to her passport being revoked and withdrawn while she was outside the country and causing her to stay in exile in London. When her mother died in 1960 she could therefore not return to her funeral. | ||
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| + | In 1963 Makeba testified before the United Nations (UN) about this act by the of how she had been stripped of her citizenship, and as result her music was banned by the state broadcasters in South Africa. | ||
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| + | Makeba went on to live in numerous countries over the next 30 or so years, among them the United States of America, France, Guinea and Belgium. During the 1970s and 1980s she also toured various other parts of the world and continued to speak out against [[Apartheid]] in various forums. | ||
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| + | By the late 1980s and the end of apartheid she eventually returned to South Africa and continued with her singing career. In 2005, Makeba announced her retirement from the mainstream music industry, but continued to make guest appearances and to do smaller performances. | ||
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| + | Makeba died on 9 November 2008 while performing in a concert organized for Roberto Saviano, an Italian writer threatened with death by the Mafia after he exposed their underground dealings. | ||
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| + | She had been married three times, first to [[Sonny Pillay]] (whom she divorced), then [[Hugh Masekela]] and finally the American activist [[Stokely Carmichael]]. | ||
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| + | In 1993 she received an Honorary Doctorate in Music from the [[University of Cape Town]] and her autobiography (''Makeba, My Story'') was published in 1994. | ||
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| + | ==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance== | ||
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| + | She first appeared as a film actress in the documentary film ''[[Come Back, Africa]]'' (1957) followed by stage work playing the female lead (shebeen queen "Joyce") in the pivotal musical ''[[King Kong]]'' (1959). The latter was staged by the [[Union Artists]] at the [[Wits University Great Hall]] in 1959, directed by [[Leon Gluckman]], with [[Stanley Glasser]] (aka "Spike") as the musical director, [[Arthur Goldreich]] as the designer and [[Arnold Dover]] as the choreographer. The rest of the cast included [[Nathan Mdledle]] in the lead role, [[Hugh Masekela]], [[Joe Mogotsi]] and [[Peggy Phango]]. | ||
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| + | After her gradual re-visits in the 1980s and ultimate return to the South Africa in 1990 she began performing regularly again and also starred in the film ''[[Sarafina]]'' (1986). | ||
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| + | == Sources == | ||
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| + | [[Mona Vida de Beer|Mona de Beer]] 1995. Revised ed. ''Who Did What in South Africa''. Johannesburg: [[Ad Donker]]. | ||
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| + | [[Peter Joyce]]. 1999. ''A Concise Dictionary of South African Biography''. Cape Town: [[Francolin Publishers]]. | ||
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| + | [[Percy Tucker]] 1997. ''Just the Ticket. My 50 Years in Show Business''. Johannesburg: [[Witwatersrand University Press]]. | ||
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| + | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_Makeba | ||
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| + | Offical Miriam Makeba Website [http://www.miriammakeba.co.za/] | ||
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| + | Go to the [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
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| + | == Return to == | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[ESAT Personalities M]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Personalities|South African Theatre Personalities]] | ||
Return to [[The ESAT Entries]] | Return to [[The ESAT Entries]] | ||
Return to [[Main Page]] | Return to [[Main Page]] | ||
Revision as of 10:25, 26 October 2026
Miriam Makeba (1932-2008) was a singer, songwriter, activist and actress.
Fondly known as "the goddess of African song" she was also later known as "Mama Afrika".
Contents
Biography
Born Zenzile Miriam Makeba (aka "Zenzi") 4 March 1932 in Prospect Township, Johannesburg, she started her career in the 1940'S as a young singer in church and school choirs near Pretoria. From there she then built her reputation in the music industry in the 1950s by singing for the Cuban Brothers, The Manhattan Brothers and The Skylarks.
In 1959 Makeba appeared as a singer in the anti-apartheid documentary Come Back, Africa, which placed the Apartheid government under the international spotlight. As consequence she was subjected to harassment by the ruling party eventually leading to her passport being revoked and withdrawn while she was outside the country and causing her to stay in exile in London. When her mother died in 1960 she could therefore not return to her funeral.
In 1963 Makeba testified before the United Nations (UN) about this act by the of how she had been stripped of her citizenship, and as result her music was banned by the state broadcasters in South Africa.
Makeba went on to live in numerous countries over the next 30 or so years, among them the United States of America, France, Guinea and Belgium. During the 1970s and 1980s she also toured various other parts of the world and continued to speak out against Apartheid in various forums.
By the late 1980s and the end of apartheid she eventually returned to South Africa and continued with her singing career. In 2005, Makeba announced her retirement from the mainstream music industry, but continued to make guest appearances and to do smaller performances.
Makeba died on 9 November 2008 while performing in a concert organized for Roberto Saviano, an Italian writer threatened with death by the Mafia after he exposed their underground dealings.
She had been married three times, first to Sonny Pillay (whom she divorced), then Hugh Masekela and finally the American activist Stokely Carmichael.
In 1993 she received an Honorary Doctorate in Music from the University of Cape Town and her autobiography (Makeba, My Story) was published in 1994.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
She first appeared as a film actress in the documentary film Come Back, Africa (1957) followed by stage work playing the female lead (shebeen queen "Joyce") in the pivotal musical King Kong (1959). The latter was staged by the Union Artists at the Wits University Great Hall in 1959, directed by Leon Gluckman, with Stanley Glasser (aka "Spike") as the musical director, Arthur Goldreich as the designer and Arnold Dover as the choreographer. The rest of the cast included Nathan Mdledle in the lead role, Hugh Masekela, Joe Mogotsi and Peggy Phango.
After her gradual re-visits in the 1980s and ultimate return to the South Africa in 1990 she began performing regularly again and also starred in the film Sarafina (1986).
Sources
Mona de Beer 1995. Revised ed. Who Did What in South Africa. Johannesburg: Ad Donker.
Peter Joyce. 1999. A Concise Dictionary of South African Biography. Cape Town: Francolin Publishers.
Percy Tucker 1997. Just the Ticket. My 50 Years in Show Business. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_Makeba
Offical Miriam Makeba Website [1]
Go to the ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to ESAT Personalities M
Return to South African Theatre Personalities
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
