Miriam Makeba Quotes

A collection of quotes by Miriam Makeba.

Miriam Makeba, also known as Mama Africa, was a South African singer, actress, and civil rights activist. She was born on March 4, 1932, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Makeba gained global recognition for her powerful voice, vibrant stage presence, and outspoken activism against apartheid.

Makeba began her career in the 1950s as a member of the Manhattan Brothers, an all-black singing group. However, it was her solo career that brought her international acclaim. She became the first African artist to win a Grammy Award, earning the honor in 1966 for her album "An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba."

Despite her successful music career, Makeba never shied away from addressing social and political issues. She used her platform to speak out against apartheid and raised awareness about the injustices faced by black South Africans. Due to her activism, her passport was revoked by the South African government, and she spent nearly 30 years in exile.

Makeba returned to South Africa in 1990 after Nelson Mandela was released from prison, and she continued to be involved in politics and humanitarian efforts. She worked tirelessly for peace, justice, and equality until her death on November 9, 2008, after a concert in Italy.

Miriam Makeba's powerful voice and unwavering dedication to freedom and justice made her an iconic figure in the fight against apartheid and a beloved symbol of African music and culture.

I look at an ant and I see myself: a native South African, e

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

Nature

Which goes to show you, you can make all the laws you want,

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

Change

In the mind, in the heart, I was always home. I always imagi

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

Miriam Makeba

Home

Everybody now admits that apartheid was wrong, and all I did

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

Truth

Age is getting to know all the ways the world turns, so that

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

Age

And why is our music called world music? I think people are

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

Music

It's a really unfair world because life is, where I am all d

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

Music

Girls are the future mothers of our society, and it is impor

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

Miriam Makeba

Future