As told by Anna Mudeka

This year marked a significant birthday anniversary of Dr. Miriam Makeba - on 4th March 2022. Born in 1932, she would have been 90 years old if she was still alive today. Many tributes, exhibitions and events will be held throughout the year in honour and celebration of her life and legacy which led up to her untimely passing on 9th November 2008 - also an important date which the Miriam Makeba Foundation acknowledges and commemorates annually.

Anna Mudeka in association with Norwich Arts Centre, The Makeba Foundation and supported by Arts Council England, is proud to present Mama Afrika: Hope, Determination and Song, a moving and spiritual account of the life of an iconic South African singer, songwriter and civil rights activist.  Celebrating what would have been her 90th year, Zimbabwean born singer, musician and storyteller Anna Mudeka tells the remarkable story of the woman who came to be known as Mama Afrika, charting her rise from the townships of South Africa to global star, forced into exile for her stand against apartheid and marginalised for championing Black rights.

Told in four acts that define critical stages of her life, Mama Afrika: Hope, Determination and Song chronicles the seismic personal and political events that came to shape the famous music and voice.  With her intimate knowledge of singing in many languages including Swahili, Xhosa, Sothu and Zulu, Anna Mudeka’s solo performance navigates an epic story through well known songs, including Mbube, Pata Pata and Soweto Blues.

Tickets available: https://www.rosemarybranchtheatre.co.uk/show/mama-afrika-hope-determination-and-song