27 moments
Childhood move to Nelspruit
· Nelspruit (Mbombela), South Africa
After her mother’s release from prison, Makeba moved with her family to Nelspruit, where her father had found work with Shell Oil. The move followed her first six months in prison with her mother; the source supports 1932 but not a more precise date.
Birth in Prospect Township
· Prospect Township, Johannesburg, South Africa
Makeba was born in Prospect, a Black township near Johannesburg, beginning a life that would become internationally associated with South African music and anti-apartheid activism. Prospect Township’s historical extent is uncertain; coordinates represent central Johannesburg.
Residence in Riverside Township
· Riverside Township, Pretoria, South Africa
Following her father’s death, Makeba moved with relatives to her maternal grandmother’s home in Riverside Township outside Pretoria. 1938 is derived from the source’s statement that her father died when she was six; coordinates represent Pretoria because the historical township location is not precisely established.
Greenwich Village residence
· Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States
After relocating to the United States, Makeba lived in Greenwich Village among musicians and actors while developing her New York career. The source places the residence after her 1959 move but does not specify its duration.
Venice Film Festival premiere
· Venice, Italy
A visa enabled Makeba to attend the Venice Film Festival premiere of the anti-apartheid film Come Back, Africa, bringing her international attention. The source supports the year and festival attendance, but not a more precise day.
King Kong opening
· Witwatersrand University Great Hall, Johannesburg, South Africa
Makeba played a lead female role in the landmark all-African jazz opera King Kong, whose original production opened at the University of the Witwatersrand Great Hall. The linked production history dates the Johannesburg opening to 2 February 1959; Makeba’s role is independently identified on the same page.
American television debut
· Los Angeles, California, United States
Makeba made her United States music debut on The Steve Allen Show, a national television appearance that introduced her to a mass American audience. Coordinates represent Los Angeles; the source does not identify the studio.
First United Nations testimony
· United Nations Headquarters, New York City, New York, United States
Makeba testified before the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid, seeking economic sanctions and an arms embargo against South Africa. The source supports testimony in 1962 but does not give a day.
Kennedy birthday performance
· Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, United States
Makeba and Harry Belafonte sang at President John F. Kennedy’s birthday party at Madison Square Garden. The source supports the year but not a more precise date.
Visit supporting Kenyan independence
· Kenya
Makeba visited Kenya in support of independence from British colonial rule and raised funds for Jomo Kenyatta. The source does not identify a city; coordinates are a representative national point.
Englewood residence with Hugh Masekela
· Englewood, New Jersey, United States
During her marriage to Hugh Masekela, Makeba lived as a neighbor of Dizzy Gillespie in Englewood, New Jersey. The residence is described during her 1964–1966 marriage; this card records its documented start year.
San Francisco performance
· San Francisco, California, United States
While backstage at a San Francisco performance, Makeba learned the Kenyan song “Malaika,” which became a staple of her repertoire. The source provides the year but not the performance venue or date.
Relocation to Guinea
· Guinea
Unable to return to the United States, Makeba and Carmichael moved to Guinea, which became her home for the next 15 years. The source identifies Guinea but not the initial city of residence; coordinates are a representative national point.
Travel in the Bahamas
· The Bahamas
While Makeba and Stokely Carmichael were travelling in the Bahamas, the United States barred her return and refused her a visa, precipitating their move to Guinea. The travel followed their March 1968 marriage; the source does not provide a more precise date or island.
Zaire 74 festival performance
· Stade du 20 Mai, Kinshasa, Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Makeba performed at Zaire 74, a major music festival held at Stade du 20 Mai in Kinshasa. The festival ran 22–24 September 1974; the source does not identify Makeba’s individual performance day.
Mozambique independence delegation
· Mozambique
Makeba visited Mozambique as part of a Guinean delegation commemorating the country’s independence from Portugal. The source does not specify a city; coordinates are a representative national point.
United Nations General Assembly address
· United Nations Headquarters, New York City, New York, United States
As Guinea’s official delegate to the United Nations, Makeba addressed the General Assembly and advocated liberation for South Africa from apartheid. The source supports 1975 but not a day; the UN Digital Library identifies a Makeba General Assembly speech on 2 October 1975.
FESTAC 77 performance
· Lagos, Nigeria
Makeba performed at the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, a major Pan-African festival in Lagos. The source lists Makeba among festival performers; FESTAC ran from 15 January to 12 February 1977.
Settlement in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert
· Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Brussels, Belgium
Wikimedia Commons · No known restrictions on publication. · file After leaving Guinea, Makeba settled in the Woluwe-Saint-Lambert district of Brussels with responsibility for her surviving grandchildren. The move followed the 1985 death of her daughter Bongi; the source does not give a month.
Graceland Tour conclusion
· Harare, Zimbabwe
Makeba performed on Paul Simon’s Graceland Tour, which concluded with two concerts in Harare filmed for Graceland: The African Concert. The source establishes Makeba’s participation in the tour and its Harare conclusion, but does not give concert dates or venues.
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
· Wembley Stadium, London, England, United Kingdom
Makeba performed “Soweto Blues” with Hugh Masekela and sang “Pata Pata” at the major anti-apartheid tribute concert for Nelson Mandela. The concert was staged at Wembley Stadium on 11 June 1988; the performance listing identifies Makeba’s set.
Return to South Africa
· South Africa
After three decades in exile, Makeba re-entered South Africa using her French passport, following months of efforts to secure a visa. The source does not identify her point of entry; coordinates are a representative national point.
First Johannesburg concerts after exile
· Johannesburg, South Africa
Makeba performed two concerts in Johannesburg, her first South African concerts since her exile began in 1960. The source gives April 1992 but not the venues or exact dates.
FAO post-emergency-project visit
· Mozambique
As an FAO Goodwill Ambassador, Makeba visited post-emergency projects in Mozambique, raising the visibility of FAO work in Africa. The FAO source does not identify project locations; coordinates are a representative national point.
Legion of Honour ceremony
· Johannesburg, South Africa
French President Jacques Chirac awarded Makeba the rank of Commander of the Legion of Honour during a ceremony in Johannesburg. The official Élysée transcript dates the ceremony 2 September 2002; venue within Johannesburg is not specified.
FAO mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
· Democratic Republic of the Congo
On her final official FAO mission, Makeba travelled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to visit emergency projects assisting survivors of violence and people living with HIV. The FAO source does not identify project locations; coordinates are a representative national point.
Final concert and death
· Castel Volturno, Campania, Italy
Makeba became ill during a concert supporting Roberto Saviano in Castel Volturno, suffered a heart attack after singing “Pata Pata,” and died that night. The source identifies Castel Volturno as the concert location; she was subsequently taken to the Pineta Grande clinic.