Dear friends, today’s the first anniversary of Miriam Makeba’s death.

You must know by now that she is one of my all time favourite singers and her songs were the soundtrack to some delightful childhood memories.miriam 2

Mama Africa died on November 10, 2008 and remembering her was bitter sweet as I’ve enjoyed listening to songs I’ve nearly forgotten.

I’ve kept a close watch on awards shows in 2009, expecting that an icon of beautiful music and global goodwill would get at least a posthumous mention.  Nada, of course.  Nothing but the vomit that passes for music nowadays.

But we don’t need their stinking awards to celebrate and play one for Mama.

Into the gentle Pata Pata of night