Africa commemorates Miriam Makeba-Pata Pata.

World On Press
Ian Jindela

Her spirit lives on. The long awaited tribute concert for the late Mama Africa—Miriam Makeba was held in Johannesburg on the May 22, Mary Firtzgerald Square -Newtown. Spectators came from Germany to witness and celebrate the spirit of Mama Africa. The tribute concert was to honor the first African cultural activist to address the United Nations General Assembly, ‘Mama Africa’ Miriam Zenzile Makeba. Born in Johannesburg 1932 and died of the heart attack in 2008 during her tour in Italy. Makeba's life has consistently been marked by struggle. As the daughter of a sangoma, a mystical traditional healer of the Xhosa tribe, she spent six months of her birth year in jail with her mother. Gifted with a dynamic vocal tone, Makeba recorded her debut single, "Lakutshona Llange," as a member of the Manhattan Brothers in 1953. Makeba was embraced by the African American community. "Pata Pata," Makeba's signature tune, was written by Dorothy Masuka and recorded in South Africa in 1956 before eventually becoming a major hit in the U.S. in 1967. She then moved to be the best selling African ambassador. She has created the proudly South African mark on the world continent. Makeba's successes as a vocalist were also balanced by her outspoken views about apartheid. Makeba published her autobiography, -Miriam: My Story, in English in 1988 and subsequently had it translated and published in German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese. Following Nelson Mandela's release from prison, Makeba returned to South Africa in December 1990. She performed her first concert in her homeland in 30 years in April 1991. She appeared in South African award-winning musical Sarafina in 1992 in the role of Sarafina's mother. Her spirit lives on for generations to come.

The concert started in the morning until late night. The click song history maker was celebrated on stage and she brought some of the finest talents Africa has to offer, the likes of Dorothy Masuku, Malaika, Siphokazi, Ntando, Nhlanhla Nciza, Rebbeca Malope, Soul brothers. Our own Grammy Award winners-Ladysmith Black Mambazo each echoed in song. Lucky Dube’s Band reminded us of the late Lucky Dube they left the crowd asking for more. Morris Roda the organizer is pleased to have finally honored Mama Africa. This is what South African should do regular honor and respect those who were before us. The music in our country is rich amongst other stage acts the legendary Tsepo Tsola captivated the crowd with his old tunes. It was time for Miriam Makeba’s band alongside her daughter. The band paid homage simply in song singing along the crowd could not stop jumping for more.

South Africa’s own Afro Neo Soul Princess, Camagwi kept the crowd dancing in a cold afternoon with her hit song Imvumi. During the set she played live song Welela in honor of Mama Africa as the young and old audience dance she then joined them off stage showcasing the spirit of Ubuntu. It was a big joy of pata pata, young and old thousands of spectators dancing and smiling together to remember Mama Africa. Only to bring joy, love, culture unity and humanity in Africa through songs and renditions by combined artists. Meanwhile the diva of Urban Zulu music Busi Mhlongo was billed to perform she could not make it as she is fighting for her life, diagnosed few year’s back with cancer.