Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba

Known for

Acting

Born

March 4, 1932

Birthplace

Prospect Township, near Johannesburg, South Africa

Died

November 10, 2008 (aged 76)

Biography

Zenzile Miriam Makeba (4 March 1932 – 9 November 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist. Associated with musical genres including Afropop, jazz, and world music, she was an advocate against apartheid and white-minority government in South Africa.

Born in Johannesburg to Swazi and Xhosa parents, Makeba was forced to find employment as a child after the death of her father. She had a brief and allegedly abusive first marriage at the age of 17, gave birth to her only child in 1950, and survived breast cancer. Her vocal talent had been recognized when she was a child, and she began singing professionally in the 1950s, with the Cu...

Best known work

The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show
1984
When We Were Kings
When We Were Kings
1996
Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat
Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat
2024
Sarafina!
Sarafina!
1992
LBJ
LBJ
1968
Soul Power
Soul Power
2009
Come Back, Africa
Come Back, Africa
1959
Mama Africa
Mama Africa
2011
The Mike Douglas Show
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony
Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony
2002

Filmography

  1. TBA

    The Road Home

    Songs

  2. 2025

    As Matter Speaks

    as 'Khawuleza' singer (voice)

  3. 2024

    Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat

    as Self (archive footage)

  4. 2019

    Africa Rising

    as Self - Musician (archive footage)

  5. 2016

  6. 2013

    Cachitos de hierro y cromoTV

    as Self (archive footage) (1 episode)

  7. 2012

  8. 2011

    Mama Africa

    as Self (archive footage)

  9. 2009

    Soul Power

    as Self (archive footage)

  10. 2002

  11. 2001

  12. 1996

  13. 1992

    Sarafina!

    as Angelina

  14. 1989

  15. 1988

  16. 1988

    ExilesTV

    as Self (1 episode)

  17. 1988

  18. 1988

  19. 1987

  20. 1984

    The Cosby ShowTV

    as Self (1 episode)

  21. 1983

    Amok

    as Joséphine Sempala, Music

  22. 1978

    Bio’s BahnhofTV

    as Self (1 episode)

  23. 1978

  24. 1975

    Numéro unTV

    as Self (1 episode)

  25. 1972

    Ein Kessel BuntesTV

    as Self (1 episode)

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