Aged 76, Mama Afrika succumbed to death after taking ill following a concert near the Southern Italian town of Caserta, ANSA news agency reported on Monday.

Born from Swazi mother and Xhosa father on 4 March 1932, Mama Afrika was forced to spend 31 years in exile after the then Apartheid regime revoked her citizenship and banned her music. She had wanted to come back to the country to bury her mother after touring the USA with Manhattan Brothers in 1959.

She was well respected in Guinea and was once asked by government to address the United Nations General Assembly as a Guinean delegate. She twice addressed the General Assembly, speaking out against the evils of apartheid.

In 1965 she became the first black African woman to receive a Grammy Award, which she shared with folk singer Harry Belafante.

Kaizer Chiefs Chairman, Kaizer Motaung described Mama Africa as a legend, “She will go down as a legend with her unmatched contribution in music in this country and beyond. Her inspiring songs kept the country going during the dark days. One of her world wide hit songs Pata Pata will remain in our hearts for many years to come.”

On behalf of Kaizer Chiefs Management, Staff, Technical Team, Players and the Family in its entirety I would like to send heartfelt condolences to the Makeba Family. We certainly hope that they are going to remain strong through these trying times” said the visibly shocked Chairman of Kaizer Chiefs, Mr. Kaizer Motaung.

Lala ngoxolo Mama Afrika, kwizalamane zakho, nosapho lakwaMakeba, akuhlanga lungehlanga!