Luanda — Angola's Ministry of Culture this Wednesday here expressed deep regret over the death of South African songstress Miriam Makeba famously known as "Mama Africa", which occurred last November 09 in Italy.

According to the condolences message from the aforementioned ministry, signed by the incumbent minister, Rosa Cruz e Silva, and which was delivered to ANGOP, the musician was one of the greatest legends of the African music worldwide.

Her career, reads the note, was totally dedicated to the African cause, having sung in various parts of the globe, through her vast repertoire of songs which eagerly expressed the liberation desire, for the independence of the population and the fight against the Apartheid regime.

The Angolan Culture Ministry bow before her memory and addresses to the South African government and people its deepest heart felt condolences over the irreparable loss of this great voice of the African culture.

"Mama Africa" suffered from a sudden death in Roma, Italy, shortly after performing during a show.

Miriam Makeba was, after 1999, a good-will ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), during which the agency's director, Jacques Diouf, evoked the assistance extended by "Mama Africa" in the combat to the reduction of famine and improving the living conditions of the world's poorest population.