The late world renowned South African singer Mirriam Makeba will be awarded with the prestigious Ubuntu Honour on the eve of Human Rights Day, this week.
The Ubuntu Honour, now in its seventh year, recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves as an embodiment and champion of values that are consistent with the Ubuntu value system. It is a project of the National Heritage Council to harness this cultural value system as the common heritage of all South Africans.

Sporting her natural afro and no make up, a true African beauty she was, Makeba never changed her image despite her “super star” status.

Mama Africa as she was affectionately known, was born on the 04th of March 1932 and was the first artist from Africa to popularise African music around the world, with songs like “Pata Pata” which was  first recorded in 1957 and released in the US in 1967.

She recorded and toured with the likes of Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon, Hugh Masekela and the list goes on.

Miriam Makeba was not just a singer, but was also a civil rights activist

Makeba, a Grammy Award winner was not just a singer, but was also a civil rights activist. Using her voice as a weapon, her songs told of the pain and struggles of South Africa under the then apartheid government.

This led to the South African government revoking her passport in 1960 and her citizenship and right of return in 1963.  This, however didn’t stop her from talking and singing about the injustices of this country as she travelled around the world.

Countries like Guinea, Belgium and Ghana came to her aid and issued her international passports so she could become the citizen of the world. Makeba held nine passports, and was granted honorary citizenship in 10 countries.

Her grandson Lumumba Lee, says growing up in the US, he never really knew about the political situation in South Africa. He only found out that his grandmother was more than a singer but an activist through all the strangers she used to house in her home in Guinea, West Africa.

Makeba only returned home as the apartheid system crumbled in 1990.

On 16 October 1999, Miriam Makeba was nominated Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization  of the United Nations.

Other awards under her belt included the Otto Hahn Peace Medal in Gold  for outstanding services to peace and international understanding, and in 2004 , she was voted 38th in the Top 100 Great South Africans.

Makeba died of a heart attack on 9 November 2008 after performing in a concert in Italy. Lee says Makeba was a pillar to the African continent.

For more details go to www.sabc.co.za