Culture

Miriam Makeba Public Memorial Held in Johannesburg

by Jarrett Martineau | November 14, 2008 at 11:45 am

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A public memorial was held in Johannesburg on Saturday for acclaimed South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba, who died last week at the age of 76.

For additional background on Miriam Makeba's life and music, please see NowPublic's additional coverage by djbatman and reggaewire.

A memorial service for South African singer Miriam Makeba, who died last weekend after a concert in Italy, will be held on Saturday in Johannesburg.

The service, which Makeba's family will attend, is also open to the public.

It will take place in the Coca Cola Dome, one of South Africa's top concert venues, with room for 20,000.

NowPublic member Shanaaz shared this heartfelt remembrance of Makeba:

The memorial service took place on saturday, at the northgate dome, the dome was filled with all that loved her, Al jazeerah had it broadcasting live amongst other television stations. Our tears could not be held back when the clips of her life was played. We witnessed a woman with much courage, faith and strength who will always continue to live in our hearts. She considered me to be one of her kids and I will always treasure that. On Sunday the 16th November 2008 she was cremated and her last wish is to be scattered at Cape point in Cape Town, South Africa. We will be fufilling her last wish because she said that she will be able to reach all the countries in that manner. Our love for her will never die.

Shanaaz Albertus, Johannesburg, South Africa

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rickiweisberg

at 12:41 on November 14th, 2008

This photo of Miriam was taken at the Kampala International Jazz festival on October 10th, 2008. She was rocking. Hard to take a good pic as she jazzed around so much. She was all smiles and all energy. I felt lucky to witness her perform.

rickiweisberg has contributed a photo to this story.

giosabba

at 07:19 on November 15th, 2008

When this summer I was in Oslo and I stopped to hear Miriam Makeba singing in a square, amazed by her smile, I didn't even know who she was.
Now I know.

Thank you Miriam!

giosabba has contributed a photo to this story.

Pythiian1

at 11:00 on November 15th, 2008

She really brought the voices of South Africa to the world through her music.

shanaaz

at 05:39 on November 17th, 2008

HI,

Mazi as I know her, known to many as Miriam Makeba was an artist, an ambassador but most of all a grandmother to most of us.At this event I accompanied her to the World Womens event at the Sandton Convention Centre.

shanaaz has contributed a photo to this story.