MAKEBA: I’D CHOOSE OPPRESSED, ALWAYS

Miriam Makeba would have turned 93 today. An extraordinary musician and champion for human rights, her impact still reverberates around the world. Not only was she a remarkable singer, she was a powerful advocate for Africans, bravely speaking out at the highest levels - including at the UN, where she exposed the injustices of the apartheid regime in her homeland of South Africa.

Despite having her citizenship revoked, Makeba continued to shine a light on the struggles faced by people in Cameroon, Congo, Guinea, Mozambique, South Africa and Black communities in America. Her music became a beacon of hope and awareness, touching hearts everywhere.

In this clip, she eloquently explains why she would always choose the side of the oppressed over that of the oppressor. Happy birthday, Mama Makeba! Your legacy lives on in the hearts of those who continue to fight for justice and equality.

Video Credit: Conversations with Felicia, The Africa Channel, 2011