Jude Katende
10 October 2008
Kampala — CELEBRATED international music star Miriam Makeba a.k.a. Mama Africa, says she will keep singing as long as her body can allow her.
"I am 76 now. I started singing in 1952 and I am still singing," Makeba told journalists at Sheraton Kampala Hotel on yesterday.
Looking calm and composed, she said she didn't know what genre of music she sings. "I don't even know whether I do jazz or not. I just sing music."
Makeba is part of the artistes, who are here for the two-day jazz festival that started yesterday at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
Asked what to expect from her show, Makeba, who now walks using a crutch, said she would do her best. "Time has passed, everyday takes its toll but I am happy to say I am still alive and singing," she said.
Accompanying Makeba was tourism state minister Serapio Rukundo, who said the ministry's work was to bring pleasure to Ugandans. "Makeba is an honour to Africa and this jazz festival is a tourism product we would like to promote," he explained.
Warid Telecom's chief executive officer, Zul Javaid said they were grateful Makeba accepted the invitation.
The show will also feature celebrated Third World Love from Israel and Ugandans Isaiah Katumwa, Joel Sebonju, Godfrey Lubuulwa, John Bash and Soul beat Africa. It is sponsored by Warid, Uganda Breweries, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, Coca-Cola, tourism ministry, South African Airlines and Kobil.
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