The High Commission of the Republic of South Africa to Jamaica announces with deep sorrow the passing of musical legend and activist, Miriam Makeba, 'Mama Africa.'

To allow visitors to salute the South African legend, a condolence book was opened at the South African High Commission, 15 Hillcrest Avenue, Kingston 6 yesterday, November 13 and will remain open today, Friday, November 14, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. respectively.

Makeba gave her last performance on November 9 in Italy. She became ill while taking part in a concert organised to support writer Roberto Saviano in his stand against the Camorra a mafia-like organisation local to the Region of Campania, Italy. She died at the age of 76

Three decades in exile

Born in Johannesburg on March 4, 1932, Makeba was one of Africa's best known singers, famed for hits such as Pata Pata and The Click Song but also for speaking out about the abuses of apartheid.

South Africa's white regime revoked Makeba's citizenship in 1960 and even refused to let her return for her mother's funeral. The singer spent more than three decades in exile, living in the United States, Guinea and Europe.

Makeba won a Grammy award for Best Folk Recording with US singer Harry Belafonte in 1965. But her music was outlawed in her homeland after she appeared in an anti-apartheid film.

"I kept my culture. I kept the music of my roots," she said in her biography. "Through my music I became this voice and image of Africa, and the people, without even realising."

She finally returned to her homeland in the 1990s after Nelson Mandela was released from prison, as the apartheid system they had both fought against so long began to be dismantled.

It took her six years to find someone in the South African recording industry to produce a record with her. She entitled it "Homeland."

In recognition of her contribution to the struggle against apartheid, the government of South Africa appointed her goodwill Ambassador.