Miriam Makeba

Zenzile Miriam Makeba, nicknamed "Mama Africa," was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist. She was a powerful voice against apartheid and used her music to bring the sounds and struggles of South Africa to the world stage.

Her career began in the 1950s with the Manhattan Brothers and the Skylarks. She gained international fame with her role in the anti-apartheid film "Come Back, Africa" and her performances around the world.

Her passport was revoked by the South African government in 1960, and she lived in exile for decades. She testified before the United Nations and continued to speak out against apartheid. After the fall of apartheid, she returned to South Africa and continued performing until her death in 2008.