MOURNERS FLOCK TO MAKEBA'S FUNERAL

Last updated: Monday, November 17, 2008

MOURNERS FLOCK TO MAKEBA'S FUNERAL

Hundreds of mourners paid their respects at the funeral of South African singing legend MIRIAM MAKEBA on Saturday (15Nov08).

The country's most prominent politicians, singers and artists flocked to a concert hall in South Africa's largest city, Johannesburg, as the body of the Grammy-winner was cremated.

Makeba, hailed as "South Africa's first lady of song" by former South African President Nelson Mandela, suffered a heart attack after performing at a charity concert near Caserta and passed away at Pineta Grande hospital shortly afterwards, aged 76 earlier this month (09Nov08).

Her body was flown back to her homeland for the service following 31 years in exile, after the apartheid state revoked her citizenship and later also banned her music.

Elton John paid tribute to Makeba shortly after her death, saying, "She was the voice of South Africa, and she was an incredible woman."

Source: WENN

| Monday, November 17, 2008

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