Victor Ahiuma-Young
11 November 2008
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described the late South African Musician, Miriam Makeba, as a thorough bred African who left a legacy of social and political relevance and enduring lyrical versatility founded on very high political consciousness and first-class skills as a composer.
NLC in a statement by its General Secretary, Comrade John Odah, said the late Makeba lived an active and well-celebrated life as a musician, national liberal activist and peace advocate and with the likes of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Robert Nesta Marley, Hugh Masekela, Makeba opened and sustained a cultural front in the African liberation offensive.
The NLC in the statement said Miriam Zenzi Makeba "lived an active and well-celebrated life as a musician, national liberal activist and peace advocate.
As an entertainer, she creatively explored in her songs the plight of black South Africans under Apartheid while her concerts, speeches and media appearances were veritable fora for denouncing the racist regime and its collaborators.
We remember her as a dogged and consistent fighter, who deployed her music to inspire and support the anti-colonial and national liberal movement.
Together with the likes of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Robert Nesta Marley, Hugh Masekela, Makeba opened and sustained a cultural front in the African liberation offensive. Africa was the concern of her life and she sang about Africa with such intensity of passion, that she eventually became better known as Mama Africa."
"Makeba was deeply involved in the efforts of the liberation movement in South Africa and was critical to the diplomatic offensive of the ANC, for which she endured numerous indignities.
The Apartheid regime revoked her South African citizenship and denied her the opportunity to return home in 1960 for her mother's funeral after testifying against Apartheid before the United Nations.
However, that Makeba was granted honorary citizenship by at least nine countries is testimony to her popularity and respectability around the continent.
As an artist, Makeba left a legacy of social and political relevance and enduring lyrical versatility founded on very high political consciousness and first-class skills as a composer."
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