Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO) ambassador Miriam Makeba, the legendary Mama Africa, dances with women as she visits women street vendors suffering from HIV, in Kinshash on March 14, 2008. The South African singing legend arrives in Kinshasa on March 13, 2008 to show support for Congolose women victims of sexual abuse and those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO) ambassador MiriamMakeba, the legendary Mama Africa, addresses the media during a visit to women street vendors suffering from HIV, in Kinshash on March 14, 2008.
A father and his child are some of the hundreds of people who paid their last respects in Johannesburg, on November 15, 2008 to music legend and anti-apartheid activist Miriam Makeba, whose death last weekend plunged South Africa into mourning. The public memorial in a Johannesburg concert hall drew some of South Africa's most prominent politicians, musicians and artists who used song and poetry to hail the woman known fondly as "Mama Africa."
A mother cuddles her baby as part of some hundreds of people who paid their last respects in Johannesburg, on November 15, 2008.
Two unidentified women along with hundreds of people paid their last respects in Johannesburg, on November 15, 2008 to music legend and anti-apartheid activist MiriamMakeba.
Lindelane, great grandchild of South African singer MiriamMakeba, bids her farewell during a memorial service in Johannesburg November 15, 2008. Makeba ,better known as "Mama Africa" one of Africa's best known voices and a champion of the fight against apartheid during three decades in exile.
South African jazz great Hugh Masekela performed a mournful solo of one her songs, as hundreds of people paid their last respects in Johannesburg, on November 15, 2008.
Mourners take pictures at the end of South African singer MiriamMakeba's memorial service in Johannesburg November 15, 2008.
An elderly woman is one of the hundreds of people who paid their last respects in Johannesburg, on November 15, 2008 to music legend and anti-apartheid activist Miriam Makeba, whose death last weekend plunged South Africa into mourning. The public memorial in a Johannesburg concert hall drew some of South Africa's most prominent politicians, musicians and artists who used song and poetry to hail the woman known fondly as "Mama Africa."
Fomer South African President Thabo Mbeki (C) is pictured along with hundreds of people who paid their last respects in Johannesburg on November 15, 2008.
Mourners attend a memorial service for South African singing legend MiriamMakeba in Johannesburg, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008. Makeba died last week in Italy after suffering a heart attack at the end of a concert.
South African musician Hugh Masikela plays a trumpet in tribute to South African singing legend MiriamMakeba, affectionately known as "Mama Africa" seen on a background projection, at a memorial service in Johannesburg, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008
Mourners attend a memorial service for South African singing legend MiriamMakeba in Johannesburg, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008.
South African jazz great Hugh Masekela performed a mournful solo of one her songs, as hundreds of people paid their last respects in Johannesburg, on November 15, 2008 to music legend and anti-apartheid activist MiriamMakeba, whose death last weekend plunged South Africa into mourning. The public memorial in a Johannesburg concert hall drew some of South Africa's most prominent politicians, musicians and artists who used song and poetry to hail the woman known fondly as "Mama Africa."
Miriam Makeba with Hugh Masekela- South Africa freedom song
A fan and friend of international singing star Miriam Makeba mourns on November 10, 2008 at the hospital Pineta Grande in Castelvolturno, near Naples on November 10,
Flowers for deceased international singer star Miriam Makeba are pictured on November 10, 2008 at the hospital Pineta Grande in Castelvolturno, near Naples.
Workers and doctor of the Pineta Grande clinic carry the coffin of South African legend singer Miriam Makeba to a hearse on November 11, 2008 in Castelvolturno. A South African foreign affairs spokesman said that the body of Miriam Makeba, who died in Italy aged 76, will be returned to South Africa for a funeral service and cremation.
A bouquet of flowers is left outside the Pinetagrande hospital where singer Miriam Makeba died in Castel Volturno November 11, 2008
The body of Miriam Makeba arrives at Johannesburg's O. R. Tambo International Airport Wednesday Nov. 12, 2008.
Relatives of South African singing legend and activist "Mama Africa" Miriam Makeba grief after her body arrived on November 12, 2008 at the OR Tambo international airport in Johannesburg from Italy where she died aged 76. Makeba's wooden coffin was met at OR Tambo Airport by the singer's family, who were joined by arts minister Pallo Jordan and several prominent South African musicians.
South African Arts Minister Pallo Jordan (L) and relatives wheel the coffin of South African singing legend and activist "Mama Africa" Miriam Makeba on November 12, 2008as it arrived at Johannesburg's OR Tambo Airport from Italy, where she died age 76. Family and friends led a procession of cars to take the coffin from the airport to a mortuary in Soweto, radio reports said. The South African cabinet was discussing a state funeral for Makeba during its weekly meeting, said arts ministry spokesman Sandile Memela.
Marriam Makeba's grand-daughter Senzi is comforted by a family member as she sits inside a hearse transporting South African singing legend and activist "Mama Africa" Miriam Makeba's body on November 12, 2008 after it arrived at the OR Tambo international airport in Johannesburg
Zenzi Lee-Mkhize (L), granddaughter of South African singer Miriam Makeba, comforts her grandmother's assistant after the arrival of her body from Italy outside the O.R Tambo airport in Johannesburg November 12, 2008.
Lindelane, great grandchild of South African singer grandmother Miriam Makeba, bids farewell to his great grandmother after the arrival of her body from Italy outside the O.R. Tambo airport in Johannesburg November 12, 2008.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO) ambassador Miriam Makeba, the legendary Mama Africa, addresses the media during a visit to women street vendors suffering from HIV, in Kinshash on March 14, 2008. The South African singing legend arrives in Kinshasa on March 13, 2008 to show support for Congolose women victims of sexual abuse and those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO) ambassador Miriam Makeba, the legendary Mama Africa, dances with women as she visits women street vendors suffering from HIV, in Kinshash on March 14, 2008. The South African singing legend arrives in Kinshasa on March 13, 2008 to show support for Congolose women victims of sexual abuse and those affected by HIV/AIDS.
In an Oct. 6, 2005 file photo South African singer Miriam Makeba performs at the Karl Marx Theater in Havana, Cuba.
The text of Nelson Mandela's statement paying tribute to South African singing legend Miriam Makeba, who has died aged 76: The sudden passing of our beloved Miriam has saddened us and our nation.
For many decades, starting in the years before we went to prison, MaMiriam featured prominently in our lives and we enjoyed her moving performances at home.
Despite her tremendous sacrifice and the pain she felt to leave behind her beloved family and her country when she went into exile, she continued to make us proud as she used her worldwide fame to focus attention on the abomination of apartheid.
Her haunting melodies gave voice to the pain of exile and disclocation which she felt for 31 long years.
At the same time, her music inspired a powerful sense of hope in all of us.
Even after she returned home she continued to use her name to make a difference by mentoring musicians and supporting struggling young women.
One of her more recent projects was to highlight the plight of victims of land mines.
She was South Africa's first lady of song and so richly deserved the title of Mama Afrika.
She was a mother to our struggle and to the young nation of ours. It was fitting that her last moments were spent on a stage, enriching the hearts and lives of others - and again in support of a good cause.
Miriam Makeba, the South African singer known to fans worldwide as Mama Africa, performs during her last concert in Castel Volturno, southern Italy, late Sunday night, Nov. 9, 2008. According to the Pineta Grande clinic in Castel Volturno Makeba died of a heart attack, after collapsing during her concert. She was 76.
Italian Singer Maria Nazionale (C) giveS help to International music star Miriam Makeba (R) at the end of their performance in Castelvolturno, near Naples on November 09, 2008. Makeba is dead after the muisic concert against the Neapolitan Mafia in the land where 6 African immigrant were killed by Camorra killers.
Italian Red Cross ambulance transports international music star Miriam Makeba at the end of her performance in Castelvolturno, near Naples on November 09, 2008. Makeba is dead after the muisic concert against the Neapolitan Mafia in the land where 6 African immigrants were killed by Camorra killers on September 18, 2008.
South African ambassador Lenin Shope, center, is seen with others outside the Pineta Grande clinic morgue, in Castel Volturno, southern Italy, Monday Nov. 10, 2008 after Miriam Makeba, the South African singer known to fans worldwide as "Mama Africa", died after her last concert late Sunday night, Nov. 9, 2008.
South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba's nephew, Nelson (2D-L) arrives with unidentified people at Pineta Grande hospital in Castelvolturno, where Miriam Makeba died overnight after collapsing during a concert in the Italian southern city on November 10, 2008.
A man brings a rose and a letter outside Pineta Grande hospital in Castelvolturno, to pay tribute to South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba.
People gather outside Pineta Grande hospital in Castelvolturno, where South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba died .
Miriam Makeba, the South African singer known to fans worldwide as Mama Africa, performs during her last concert in Castel Volturno, southern Italy, late Sunday night, Nov. 9, 2008.
South African singer Miriam Makeba (R) performs during a concert in Castel Volturno, south of Italy, November 9, 2008. Makeba died in the Pineta Grande clinic where she was taken after falling ill following her performance at an anti-racism and anti-organized crime concert, in support of writer Roberto Saviano, who wrote "Gomorra," a book about organized crime in southern Italy. Picture taken November 9.
The sudden passing of our beloved Miriam has saddened us and our nation.
