Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba was a South African singer and civil rights activist.

Makeba grew up in South Africa, first singing in a choir at school. She made a name for herself singing with the Manhatten Brothers (a jazz group). In 1956, Makeba recorded her most known song, “Pata Pata.” Around this time, she became an activist against the apartheid (segregation) in South Africa. They revoked her citizenship, but other countries made her an honorary citizen. While in the west, Makeba recorded several studio albums and sang with other famous people. She was allowed to return home in 1990 when the apartheid system dissolved.

Age is getting to know all the ways the world turns, so that if you cannot turn the world the way you want, you can at least get out of the way so you won't get run over.Miriam Makeba

And why is our music called world music? I think people are being polite. What they want to say is that it's third world music. Like they use to call us under developed countries, now it has changed to developing countries, it's much more polite.Miriam Makeba

Everybody now admits that apartheid was wrong, and all I did was tell the people who wanted to know where I come from how we lived in South Africa. I just told the world the truth. And if my truth then becomes political, I can't do anything about that.Miriam Makeba

Girls are the future mothers of our society, and it is important that we focus on their well-being.Miriam Makeba

I look at an ant and I see myself: a native South African, endowed by nature with a strength much greater than my size so I might cope with the weight of a racism that crushes my spirit.Miriam Makeba

In the mind, in the heart, I was always home. I always imagined, really, going back home.Miriam Makeba

It's a really unfair world because life is, where I am all day long we listen to American music. So I don't see why the radios in the U.S. cannot even put aside one hour a day just to play music that is not American.Miriam Makeba

Which goes to show you, you can make all the laws you want, but you cannot change people's ways. If you must change them, you have to understand that it will take a long time.Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba was a famous South African singer-songwriter and actress, who was born on March 4, 1932. As a person born on this date, Miriam Makeba is listed in our database as the 2nd most popular celebrity for the day (March 4) and the 1st most popular for the year (1932).

People born on March 4 fall under the Zodiac sign of Pisces, the Fish. Miriam Makeba is the 11th most popular Pisces.

In general, Miriam Makeba ranks as the 83rd most popular famous person of all time. “The Famous Birthdays” catalogs over 25,000 famous people, everyone from actors to singers to scientists to serial killers and more. If you're curious to see who was born on your birthday, you can use our database to find out who, what, where, when and why. You can search by birthday, birthplace, claim to fame or any other information by typing in the search box, or simply browse our site by selecting the month, the day, the horoscope, or any other clickable option.

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