13 November 2008
editorial
News of the death of South African songstress, Miriam Makeba was received with shock not only in her homeland but all over the world.
Though she was an African, she was a citizen of the world.
In Africa, particularly, the sorrow was too much to bear. Makeba was not fondly known as Mama Afrika for nothing. She had come to be an embodiment of the African cultural heritage. Her music transcended the artificial borders that divide the African continent.
From the backstreets of West Africa and East Africa to the hallowed halls of the African Union in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, Mama Afrika's music has always been at home.
She was true to her African roots in that she successfully managed to share her African music with the world. She was indeed, one of the pioneers of what has come to be known as world music, but with a distinctively African feel.
Makeba's career path should serve as a guidance and an inspiration to the current crop of African musicians and future generations. The lesson she has left behind is that African music can borrow from other genres, without losing its identity.
Another important aspect is the message in her song. In the true spirit of African heritage, Mama Afrika's music entertained and caught the attention of listeners without the use of vulgar language. Nowadays production of good music has been supplemented with vulgarism. Obscene language is erroneously described as 'artistic'. What a shame.
The last lesson Makeba has bestowed on the future African musical generations is that an artist can have a purpose in life. Makeba was part of the liberation struggle that was being waged in her homeland against the diabolical apartheid regime. Instead of using the gun, she used the best and effective weapon at her disposal - her voice and music.
May her soul rest in peace.
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