Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango has paid a glowing tribute to South African singer Miriam Makaba, who died of heart attack last Sunday in Italy at the age of 76. “Great Manu”, as he is known by his fans, described Miriam Makeba as “an icon of the African and universal music”. The South African artist, dubbed “Mama Africa”, marked the years of struggle against apartheid with her songs, some of which have travelled the world and were picked up by other artists like the 75-year-old Cameroonian, Manu Dibango. “It’s a great honour to successfully pick up songs by a talented artist like Miriam Makeba,” Manu Dibango said during a visit to his home country. Among the Miriam Makeba’s songs repeated by Manu Dibango, father of the soul makossa, is the favorite song “Pata-Pata”.
