Miriam Makeba—the South African singer and anti-apartheid activist—was “the voice and the hope of Africa. Her music influenced artists across the globe, and remained anchored in her traditional South African roots, conveying strong messages against racism and poverty.
“Forced into exile in 1959… she performed with Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone, and Dizzy Gillespie, and was married to Hugh Masekela and Stokely Carmichael.”*
A public advocate and entertainer to the end, Makeba died at 76 immediately after leaving a concert stage in Castel Volturno, Italy, in 2008. The documentary MAMA AFRICA—MIRIAM MAKEBA, directed by Finnish filmmaker Mika Kaurismäki, is now playing at the Downtown Independent.
MAMA AFRICA—MIRIAM MAKEBA, through Wednesday, February 21.
DOWNTOWN INDEPENDENT, 251 South Main Street, Los Angeles.
Miriam Makeba with (top) Marlon Brando, and Nina Simone. Image credit: Miriam Makeba Foundation.
