Miriam Makeba --“Mama Africa” 1932-present Born in South Africa

1. February Musician-of-the-Month: Miriam Makeba --“Mama Africa” 1932-present Born in South Africa -She is one of the most famous singers from Africa, and is internationally known for her singing, which combines jazz and traditional African music.

2. Quiz – You can write down one extra fact from this presentation – it will be extra credit on the Quiz.

3. She sings in a style which combines African folk music with American jazz. Some of her songs are in English, some are in her native language of Xhosa. Miriam’s Musical Style Write it down! – Miriam’s musical style combines American jazz and African folk music.

4. Since the mid-1600s, when the Dutch colonists first landed in South Africa, there has been tension between the native South Africans and the colonists. The tribes of South Africa were forced off of lands that they had inhabited for centuries so the land could be developed into farmland for the colonists. South AfricaApartheid Write it down! – The Dutch (Netherlands) colonized South Africa in the 1600s.

5. In the 20th Century, the government of South Africa, which was controlled by descendents of the European colonists, created a system of laws called Apartheid. Apartheid laws were designed to keep the different races apart but they resulted in the native South Africans having no rights at all. They were removed from the cities and forced to live in poverty in small townships outside of the cities. One of these townships was called Soweto. Townships Soweto, South Africa Write it down! – Apartheid – a system of laws that segregated people of different races, which resulted in non-white people having no rights.

6. Video: The Beginnings of Apartheid in South Africa (5 min.) Please write in your notes: two examples of rights that were taken from the black South African people by Apartheid.

7. In 1976, The South African government declared that all schools must teach lessons in the national language, called Afrikaans. It is a version of the Dutch language from Europe. The students and parents felt that this was another way for the government to take away their own heritage and culture and they resisted. On June 16, there was a protest march in the streets of Soweto, led by school children. The result was a violent clash with police. The Soweto Uprising – June 16, 1976 Soweto Uprising – students protested the government’s new law that they could not speak their native language in school. Hundreds of children were killed or injured by police.

8. Pictures of the Soweto uprising shocked the world, and made more people aware of the struggle against Apartheid. • It is estimated that 200-700 students and parents were shot by police. At least 1000 people were injured.

9. The Resistance • African National Congress – an organization started in 1912 to promote rights for black South Africans. • They started out with non-violent protest marches. Thousands of protesters were killed by police. • The ANC started bombing/sabotaging parts of the government, because of unsuccessful protests.

10. Was a leader in the ANC. Was arrested (1962), and spent 27 years in prison. 1990 – South Africa’s president officially ended Apartheid laws. Mandela was elected the first native-born president of South Africa in 1994. The End of Apartheid/Nelson Mandela Write it down! – 1990 – Apartheid was officially ended by the government.

11. Video: The End of Apartheid (5 min.) Click on picture to play video.

12. Miriam Makeba1932 - Present Music can be used to protest injustice, and promote racial unity.

13. Born near Johannesburg, South Africa in 1932. Her father died when she was 6. Her mother was a traditional healer. As a young girl, she was often asked to sing at weddings. She gained some fame in South Africa when she sang with the “Manhattan Brothers” in 1954, and later with an all-female group, “The Skylarks”. Miriam’s Life She was not allowed by the government to record her first solo album in English. Why?

14. 1959 – Miriam sang the lead part in a musical, “King Kong”, about the life of a boxer. She met her first husband, Hugh Masekela, he was also a member of the cast of “King Kong”. King Kong, The Musical King Kong – a jazz opera about a South African heavyweight boxer, Ezekiel Dlamini, also known as “King Kong”.

15. Miriam traveled with the King Kong musical to London in 1961. She appeared in an anti-Apartheid film called “Come Back Africa”. The South African government revoked her passport. Miriam Speaks Out

16. 1963 – Miriam testified against Apartheid before the United Nations Committee Against Apartheid. Her recordings were banned in South Africa, her citizenship was revoked, and she was not allowed to return. Exile Write it down!Exile - being refused permission to return to one’s home country. Miriam was exiled for speaking out against Apartheid at the United Nations.

17. Pata Pata - 1967 • As Miriam was denied permission to return to her home, she lived in the United States, where she gained popularity for her hit songs: Pata Pata, The Click Song, and Malaika. Pata Pata was the first African song to ever make the “top ten” song list on the American pop charts. • She received a Grammy Award in 1966. • Pata Pata – One of Miriam’s most internationally famous songs. • Link to watch “Pata Pata”. It is an upbeat song about a South African dance.

18. While living in the U.S., during the civil rights movement, Miriam married a leader of the black power movement, Stokely Carmichael (1968). This shocked the white American public –her record deals and tours were cancelled. No longer feeling welcome in the U.S., she moved to Guinea, West Africa, and continued performing in Africa and Europe. Racism in America Why do you think Miriam’s record deals and tours were cancelled?

19. Soweto Blues - 1976By Hugh Masekela, Performed by Miriam Makeba The children got a letter from their master It said no more Xhosa, Sotho, no more Zulu Refusing to comply, they sent an answer That's when the policemen came to the rescue Children were flying, bullets, dying The mothers screaming and crying The fathers were working in the city The evening news brought out the publicity Just a little ultra-city Deep in the city… Soweto Blues Link to live concert performance of “Soweto Blues”.

20. The song, “Soweto Blues” helped bring attention to the injustices of Apartheid. 1987 – Makeba, along with other South African musicians, and American singer Paul Simon, performed a concert in Zimbabwe on the border near South Africa. It was still illegal in South Africa for white and black people to work together. Music as Protest The “Graceland” Concert: protested racial injustice in South Africa, and brought together African and American music, and promoted racial unity.

21. In 1990, when Apartheid had ended, Miriam was finally allowed to return home to South Africa. She continued to sing and appear in films about Apartheid, and starred in a musical. Her last concert performance was in Oct. 2007 in England. A Return Home Write it down! 1990 – Miriam returned home after 30 years in exile.

22. Miriam Makeba overcame exile from her home country, the death of her only daughter, several car accidents, a plane crash, cancer, Apartheid, and racism, to become one of the worlds most well-known female singers – releasing over 30 albums, and receiving awards for her humanitarianism. Overcoming Adversity (Humanitarian: a person actively engaged in promoting human welfare and social reforms.)

23. Questions to Ponder…. • Can you think of any other examples of people using music to change something in society? • Can you think of an example where you were treated unfairly? • Have you ever needed to speak-out or “stand-up” for yourself or someone you know?