Miriam Makeba - South Africa’s Skylark

(Nascente)

Forget Shakira: the benchmark song of World Cup 2010 was a reworking of Miriam Makeba’s 1967 hit ‘Pata Pata’. Johannesburg-born Makeba, who died in 2008, was nicknamed Africa’s Skylark, evoking the beauty of her voice, but falling short of capturing the empowering nature of her infectious songs.

A major 20th century international female singer, Makeba sang for black people, and for white, all the way through the apartheid years, going into exile, championing Mandela’s cause until freedom came. A timely compilation of thrilling songs from an amazing woman.