Its amazing how much we as Africans don't understand about our own culture. I was Partying last week with "progressive African" just letting loose and hanging out, when a song by Miriam Makeba played everyone was indefferent and didn't seem to understand just how important Miriam Makeba was in Our Freedom as African people. The reason we were in that room carefree and partying was because Activists like Miriam Makeba had fought hard for our freedom. After afew minutes of being pissed off, I realized that my brothers and sisters weren't dissing Makeba they simply didn't know what she trully did for us, instead of complaining about the situation I dropped some knowledge on them. Here are some facts about Makeba Mama Africa AKA Miriam Makeba

1932: Born Johannesburg, South Africa

1959: Stars in the jazz opera King Kong and anti-apartheid film Come Back, Africa, met Harry Belafonte

1960: Barred from South Africa

1963: Testifies against apartheid at the United Nations

1966: Becomes the first African woman to win a Grammy award

1968: Marries Black Panther Stokely Carmichael and moves to Guinea

1985: Moves to Brussels after her child Bongi dies in childbirth

1990: Returns to South Africa after personal request from Nelson Mandela

2005: Begins a "farewell tour" of the world that lasts three years

2008: Dies in Caserta, Italy following a concert, aged 76


Its too bad that we sometimes learn the value of people around us when they leave the world. Take the time to learn as much as possible about African freedom fighters past and present.

Here is to you Mama Africa, this woman was one of the first to invoke my pride as an African Woman, I honor her commitment to justice and freedom and her spirit will be passed on to my daughters and grand daughters and anyone who will listen to my adoration of her.
Rest In Peace


Wamutogoria