Miriam Makeba used her voice to entertain, but also to give a voice to millions of oppressed fellow South Africans who suffered as a result of apartheid. The price she had to pay for her actions was high, namely her South African citizenship. After she appeared, in 1960, in the an anti-apartheid documentary Come Back, Africa, the South African regime banned her from returning to her home country and took away her citizenship.
This event didn't stop her from continuing to raise her voice against the apartheid regime. Between 1964 and 1975, as a United Nations delegate of Guinea where she was granted asylum, Miriam Makeba addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations regularly on the tragic developments in South Africa.
Meanwhile she carried on singing, a process in which she put South African music on the map. Over the years Makeba worked with artists as Joe Sample, Stix Hooper, Arthur Adams, and David T. Walker of The Crusaders. In the late 1980's she joined Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo during their world-wide Graceland tour and in 1990 she worked with Odetta and Nina Simone for the One Nation tour.
Following Nelson Mandela's release from prison, the citizen of the world Makeba returned to South Africa in December 1990; more than thirty years after she went in exile. In April 1991 she performed her first concert in her homeland in three decades.
The years after were busy ones for Makeba. She starred in the South African award-winning musical Sarafina! , about the 1976 Soweto youth uprisings, playing the role of the title character's mother. She then reunited with her first husband, trumpeter Hugh Masekela, for the Tour Of Hope. She also performed at the Vatican's Nevi Hall during the world-wide broadcasted show, Christmas In The Vatican. In 2000 Makeba released the grammy-nominated Homeland, her first studio album in a decade. In 2002 she shared the Polar Music Prize with Sofia Gubaidulina, in recognition of her exceptional achievements in the creation and advancement of music.
After her return to South Africa Miriam Makeba recorded over ten albums. In 2004, at the age of 72, she relased Reflections honoring the tenth anniversary of the end of apartheid in South Africa. In that same year Makeba was voted 38th in the Top 100 Great South Africans. She also started a 14 month worldwide farwell tour in 2005, holding concerts in all countries she had visited during her life.
With an impressive career spanning more than four decades Miriam Makeba is, indeed, one of the most respected, loved and cherished treasures in (South) Africa.
On the early morning of 10th of November 2008 she died at the age of 76 after being taken ill near the southern Italian town of Caserta, after performing at a concert against organized crime.
Source: Miriam Makeba, A true South African musical Legend
Discography on last.fm
External links:
Official website
Unofficial website
Movie database
African convention
Miriam Makeba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There will be delegations from one and all African stations
(We're sending invitations) To people of African vibrations
(Open up all relations) Come on and hear our syncopation
Every organisation, musicians and politicians
Peasant and high society, the country and the city
Come on and shake off your frustrations
We're gonna dance the blues away
We're gonna stop the pain to this day
Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Mandingo, Hawza, vulani (Beating on the tom-tom)
Beat mix from the Congo (I'll be making sweet harmony)
Well, number one on the agenda is music (Sing your song, you mighty Zulu)
Number two on the agenda is rhythm (Be-be-be-be-be-bebop in Dixieland)
Number three on the agenda is dancing (Shake your body to Hamba Mama)
Well number four on the agenda love (open up all relations)
Talk about the African, the African Convention
Talk about the African, the African Convention
Talk about the African, the African Convention
Talk about the African, the African Convention
Talk about the African, the African Convention
(The African Convention)
(The African Convention)
Do do do do do do the reggae, Jamaica, mama
Do do do do do do the reggae, Jamaica, mama (Do do do do do do the reggae, Jamaica, mama)
Do do do do do do the reggae, Jamaica, mama (Do do do do do do the reggae, Jamaica, mama)
Do do do do do do the reggae, Jamaica, mama
Johnny Parker, blow your horn (The African Convention)
(Talk about the African, the African Convention) Ek se daar, Letta Mbulu, sing your song
(Talk about the African, the African Convention) Wena, Masekela, blow your horn
Wena, Nina Simone, sing your song (The African Convention)
(Talk about the African, the African Convention)
(Talk about the African, the African Convention)
The song "African Convention" by Miriam Makeba seems to be an invitation to a gathering, presumably a convention of people from different African nations or stations. The lyrics talk about sending invitations to people of African vibrations, open up all relations and hear the syncopation. The song is an invitation to come together, and it emphasizes on the importance of inclusivity when talking about the African Convention, with people from all walks of life, musician, politicians, peasant, and high society all being invited to participate. The song talks about shaking off frustrations, dancing, and liberating oneself from pain, stating that there will be "heavy liberation" during the convention.
The song then delves deeper into the objectives of the convention. Music, rhythm, dancing, and love are the primary agenda items, each given a number. The song also alludes to different cultures from Africa and Jamaica. It mentions the Mandingo, Hawza, and Congo, and even reggae in Jamaica, cementing the song's pan-African and diasporic themes. The lyrics of the song emphasize unity, the spirit of liberation and progress. A convention, in this context, becomes a platform for Africans to celebrate their unity, culture and rebel against the oppressive systems that seek to divide and segregate them.
Line by Line Meaning
The African Convention is going to take place in the nation
This convention will occur in Africa
There will be delegations from one and all African stations
Delegations from all over Africa will attend
(We're sending invitations) To people of African vibrations
Invitations are being sent to those with an African connection or influence
(Open up all relations) Come on and hear our syncopation
Let's open up communication and listen to our unique beat
Every organisation, musicians and politicians
All types of people are invited, including those representing organizations and governmental positions
Peasant and high society, the country and the city
No matter your social status or where you come from, you are welcome
Come on and shake off your frustrations
Leave any stress or negative emotions behind
There's going to be some heavy libation
We will indulge in celebratory drinks
We're gonna dance the blues away
We will dance to uplift ourselves
We're gonna stop the pain to this day
We will no longer let struggles and hardships hold us back
Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Mandingo, Hawza, vulani (Beating on the tom-tom)
African rhythms and drums will be played
Beat mix from the Congo (I'll be making sweet harmony)
Melodic African beats will be created
Well, number one on the agenda is music (Sing your song, you mighty Zulu)
Music is our top priority
Number two on the agenda is rhythm (Be-be-be-be-be-bebop in Dixieland)
Rhythm follows closely in importance
Number three on the agenda is dancing (Shake your body to Hamba Mama)
Dancing is a crucial aspect of the festivity
Well number four on the agenda love (open up all relations)
Love and connection is emphasized and encouraged
Talk about the African, the African Convention
Let's speak about this gathering
Do do do do do do the reggae, Jamaica, mama
Reggae music will be played as well
Johnny Parker, blow your horn (The African Convention)
Johnny Parker is called to play his instrument at the convention
(Talk about the African, the African Convention) Ek se daar, Letta Mbulu, sing your song
Letta Mbulu is asked to perform too
(Talk about the African, the African Convention) Wena, Masekela, blow your horn
Masekela is called upon to play his instrument
Wena, Nina Simone, sing your song (The African Convention)
Nina Simone is also invited to sing
(Talk about the African, the African Convention)
Discussion about the convention continues
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HUGH MASEKELA, STANLEY TODD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DOBAYAa Judith
I miss you soooo much !