African Union (AU) Commission
2 February 2009
Addis Ababa: "Mama Africa departed the world of the living, after doing what
she did best, performing in Naples, Italy during an Anti-Racism and Anti-Mafia
Event," said President Kgalema Motlanthe.
The President said in a tribute to the late Miriam Makeba, at a dinner
hosted by Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on the Occasion of the Assembly
of the African Union, on 1 February 2008.
"On behalf of the people of South Africa, I would therefore like to thank
the African Union Commission for this tribute to Mama Africa, as Miriam Makeba
was popularly known", he said.
He also thanked the Commission for honouring Aime' Cesaire who was a
"Martinique and African poet, activist, statesman and thinker".
"These two remarkable voices of the yearnings of African people all over the
world will always ring out with dignity and conscience-pricking force through
the passage of time", the president said. The President described Mama Africa
as a selfless person with a big and gentle heart.
"Her compassion and love for her people drove her to establish the Makeba
Rehabilitation Centre for Girls which opened in 2003 in Midrand, South Africa,"
said the President he said.
"Wherever Miriam Makeba was, her music would mobilise people for our dignity
and our pride behind the banner of national liberation."
"Through her music, sung in different languages, she became the symbol of
peace, freedom and one of the world's most prominent black African performers
of the 20th century."
"She contributed immensely to a better life not only in South Africa but in
many African Countries as Goodwill Ambassador."
Mama Africa was also depicted, by the President as a hard act to follow,
"and we, who remain, can learn from Miriam Makeba that the fulfilment of our
dreams and leading a just cause is not in material riches or power and glory,
but in seeing our lifelong labours materialise in a better life for humanity at
large".
President Motlanthe urged heads of state or government to continue to
immortalise the lives of Miriam Makeba and Aime' Cesaire "through the
leadership we provide, promoting democratic culture and putting the conditions
of our people first in everything we do." He said that this would be the
greatest and indelible tribute to their lives.
Enquiries:
Thabo Masebe
Spokesperson to the President
Cell: 082 410 8087
Issued by: The Presidency
2 February 2009
