POP/ROCK - June 11, 1990
Miriam Makeba Home at Last: Miriam Makeba, the South African-born singer hailed as “Mama Africa” for her passion and popularity, sang on home soil for the first time in 31 years Sunday after returning from political exile to visit family and her mother’s grave in Johannesburg. The 57-year-old Makeba joined relatives, local entertainers and supporters in singing the black liberation anthem “Nkosi Sikele i’Afrika,” or “God Bless Africa.” She told reporters that she did not “sleep for a week” in anticipation of getting an entry visa, which was refused her until Friday.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
