Mourners pay tribute to Makeba

2008-11-15 11:13

Johannesburg - South Africans are paying tribute to "Mama Afrika," remembering Miriam Makeba for her music and her commitment to human rights.

Makeba died on Monday after collapsing during a performance in Italy. Mourners began arriving at a Johannesburg stadium on Saturday, hours before the public memorial service was to begin.

Zindzi Mfundisi, a 20-year-old waitress and aspiring singer, was first in line. Mfundisi says she once met Makeba before a concert in South Africa. Her heroine encouraged her to stay in school.

The service was drawing a South African mosaic - young and old, white and black.

Makeba was 76 when she died. Her celebrity and grace made her a powerful voice against apartheid, and she later championed women's and children's rights.

- AP