South Africa Mourns Miriam Makeba

Johannesburg, Nov 13 (Prensa Latina) South Africa President Kgalema Motlanthe mourned the death of the nation’s musical mother singer Miriam Makeba, governmental sources reported Thursday.
Motlanthe highlighted in a document the contribution of Makeba to the fight against the regime of racial segregation in the continent through her music and her unshakeable commitment with the humanitarian issues.
"Her spirit will continue alive in the hearts of all and we will continue celebrating her person for the significant contribution to the formation of a better South Africa and world to live in", the President stated in the declaration.
The farewell ceremony will take place on Thursday, until funeral processions are held, and her body incinerated.
Official buildings and the South African embassies will be with the flag at half-mast, to honor the worldwide known as the mother of modern South Africa, "Mama Africa".
Makeba, 76, collapsed Sunday after a concert against racism in Italy. She later died of a heart attack in hospital, the news filled thousands of people everywhere of the planet with dismay.
The singer, legendary voice of the African continent and who gave voice to the anti-apartheid struggle, was also a Cuban citizen.
"Miriam Makeba used her voice, not merely to entertain, but to give a voice to the millions of oppressed South Africans under the yoke of apartheid".
"Miriam was an indefatigable African patriot who used her immense talent in the service of her people and the struggle for freedom and democracy not only in South Africa, but in the continent as a whole".
Fellow African musical giant Youssou Ndour mourned her death as a loss to the world's music.
"It really is a great loss for Africa, for African music and all music," he told a radio station. "She was somebody who did a lot for Africa, and in general for black people. It is a great loss."