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A Tribute Speech to Ambassador Makeba
by Minister Dlamini Zuma
Honourable Ministers
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Mama Africa
I have been asked to say a few words about Miriam Makeba
in recognition of her outstanding qualities and immeasurable
contribution to the liquidation of the ignoble system
of Apartheid. Quite frankly, I do not know where to
begin to talk about this gentle giant, the larger than
life Miriam. Born in Johannesburg, Miriam rose from
the conditions of obscurity to occupy a centre stage
in the lives and struggles of our people.
With the ascendancy to power of those that have deigned
themselves our superiors, Miriam continued to soothe
and re-assured us that ours was a just struggle through
her sweet and melodic voice. When at times it seemed
that ours would be an unending suffering, she remained
ever so optimistic that the victory was certain. As
she stood to address the United Nations on Apartheid,
and consistently mobilised peoples and governments around
the world against the repugnant and dehumanising system
of Apartheid she knew that she carried the aspirations
of the heroic people who were determined that no matter
how difficult it seemed, there was no stopping history,
their freedom was within their reach.
As we try to defy the expression that " Prophets
are not honoured in their home countries", we asked
Miriam to be South Africa’s Goodwill Ambassador
to Africa. I must add that, we are merely formalising
an appointment that Miriam had performed with amazing
distinction for many years without due recognition by
those who treated her as less than equal.
I think, Miriam, as a true African patriot must be
equally enraged about all that is wrong in the continent.
When she was asked to grace the august Assembly of the
African Heads of States and Government at the founding
of the Organisation of African Unity , she had hoped
with gay abandon that the African star of optimism that
was hoisted into the night sky of Ethiopia would bring
peace, prosperity and development to Africa. We can
say, unequivocally, that save for the successful decolonization
process in Africa, little else has been achieved in
the continent.
Despite, all that is wrong, Miriam believes like all
of us with the exuberance of the youth that Africa like
a phoenix is rising from the ashes. Like all of us,
she agrees that conflict still rages from Angola, to
Algeria, to Liberia, to the DRC, but she also believes
that it is within our reach to resolve what seems to
be intractable conflicts. She also believes as we all
do that with the advent of the African Union the continent
is geared for a take-off. She also believes like all
of us that with the economic blueprint adopted recently
by the outgoing OAU, that the continent is poised for
integration into the global economy. As the warrior
of African Renaissance, I think, she will do all in
her power to ensure the re-birth of the continent.
Sis Miriam, today we pay a special tribute to your
resilience, to your indomitable spirit, to your irrepressible
spirit in face of adversity. You are, undoubtedly, and
unquestionably, a jewel in our crown, a child of the
soil, a daughter of Africa we salute you. My only request,
is that you envelop us with the warmth and moving spirit
of Pata-Pata
Thank you
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