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Makeba: My Story
Autobiography of the South African singer who was exiled from her country until after the fall of apartheid.
264 pages, Print on Demand
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 13, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. Makeba: My Story is the autobiography of South African singer Miriam Makeba. Makeba was born Zenzi Makeba to Swazi and Xhosa parents. This memoir reads like a novel and in hackneyed words used to describe some movies and books it is a story of triumph and tragedy.
Miriam Makeba was born under the brutal system of apartheid. Her beloved father died young, and she was eventually raised mainly by her grandmother and other extended family. Her mother was forced to work far from home to support her family.
Miriam immersed herself in singing after her first marriage failed. Eventually she was given the opportunity to come to America and advance her career. She was to never see some her family again after she dared criticized the policies of the South African government. For years she would remain in exile always with a longing to return to home to her family. She would gain international renown as a singer developing close friendships with Harry Belafonte, Marlon Brando, and President Sekou Toure of Guinea. She would marry several times including the African-American radical and leader of SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) Stokely Carmicheal.
I won't give away much more about this moving memoir except to say that it's one of the best and most exciting autobiographies I've read in quite some time. Makeda was very endearing to me because of her strength despite hardship and heartbreak, her determination to keep going despite betrayal, her humbleness and genuineness, and her devotion to her people, ancestry, homeland, and Africa. It's a real page turner.
Miriam Makeba was born under the brutal system of apartheid. Her beloved father died young, and she was eventually raised mainly by her grandmother and other extended family. Her mother was forced to work far from home to support her family.
Miriam immersed herself in singing after her first marriage failed. Eventually she was given the opportunity to come to America and advance her career. She was to never see some her family again after she dared criticized the policies of the South African government. For years she would remain in exile always with a longing to return to home to her family. She would gain international renown as a singer developing close friendships with Harry Belafonte, Marlon Brando, and President Sekou Toure of Guinea. She would marry several times including the African-American radical and leader of SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) Stokely Carmicheal.
I won't give away much more about this moving memoir except to say that it's one of the best and most exciting autobiographies I've read in quite some time. Makeda was very endearing to me because of her strength despite hardship and heartbreak, her determination to keep going despite betrayal, her humbleness and genuineness, and her devotion to her people, ancestry, homeland, and Africa. It's a real page turner.
June 1, 2022
Every now and then I read an autobiography or memoir of a person (living or dead) that I wish I could break bread with; Ms. Makeba has been added to that list.
I laughed, I cried and I learned! This book was well written and engaging and it honestly felt like Ms. Makeba was speaking directly to me (great use of 1st person narrative). My only disappointment is that this book was published in 1987 and she lived for another 20 years or so! I would have loved to hear her thoughts and reactions to apartheid ending and her eventual return to South Africa.
I laughed, I cried and I learned! This book was well written and engaging and it honestly felt like Ms. Makeba was speaking directly to me (great use of 1st person narrative). My only disappointment is that this book was published in 1987 and she lived for another 20 years or so! I would have loved to hear her thoughts and reactions to apartheid ending and her eventual return to South Africa.
September 29, 2023
Mama Miriam Makeba's life to the marrow.
July 1, 2021
South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba speaks the story of her life conversationally, in first person, rather than as slickly edited text. Through short poignant chapters, she reveals an extraordinary life of triumph and tragedy. This book covers the years from her 1930s childhood through the 1980s, when apartheid still reigned. It is written as a personal reflection, just after a time of devastating personal loss.
After a few very unusual childhood experiences, Makeba gives details about how the apartheid system impacted her as a young adult. One example is when her first band has a car accident and, since most car-owners are white, no cars stop to help despite obviously mortal injuries. We see such experiences molding Makeba into an outspoken critic of apartheid, eventually testifying against it at the UN and losing her right to return to South Africa as a result. She still loves South Africa, and the exile weighs on her, even as she becomes an international singing star and citizen of the world. She also tells the story of her relationships with Hugh Masekela, Stokely Carmichael, Harry Belafonte, and Guinean President Sekou Toure, among others.
The time at which the book was written was a few years before apartheid ended in South Africa, before Makeba received several international humanitarian awards and was welcomed home. An autobiography written 20 years later might have been more upbeat, but the grace with which Makeba bears her sorrows shows the strength and refinement of her character. Recommended reading, especially if you love Makeba’s music or don’t know much about South African politics.
After a few very unusual childhood experiences, Makeba gives details about how the apartheid system impacted her as a young adult. One example is when her first band has a car accident and, since most car-owners are white, no cars stop to help despite obviously mortal injuries. We see such experiences molding Makeba into an outspoken critic of apartheid, eventually testifying against it at the UN and losing her right to return to South Africa as a result. She still loves South Africa, and the exile weighs on her, even as she becomes an international singing star and citizen of the world. She also tells the story of her relationships with Hugh Masekela, Stokely Carmichael, Harry Belafonte, and Guinean President Sekou Toure, among others.
The time at which the book was written was a few years before apartheid ended in South Africa, before Makeba received several international humanitarian awards and was welcomed home. An autobiography written 20 years later might have been more upbeat, but the grace with which Makeba bears her sorrows shows the strength and refinement of her character. Recommended reading, especially if you love Makeba’s music or don’t know much about South African politics.
December 26, 2010
I'm not usually a fan of autobiographies, but the style of this one--1st person, present tense--was different, and while that took some getting used to, I found it a more interesting approach, making the narrative akin (I'm assuming) to a more authentic, African, storytelling approach.
I think Makeba is an interesting figure in popular music and the struggle for human rights, both in the U.S. and abroad, and I found the story of her life to be engaging. Did I believe everything she said? No, not quite. I think, like all of us, she has a tendency to make herself the hero in her own stories. She also tends to employ a certain poor-misunderstood-me element in her life story. The of her marriages is never her fault. The career upsets are due to the misinterpretations of others, not down to any of her actions. Well, maybe, but I suspect we're only getting part of the story.
Nonetheless, I found her a good, accessible storyteller, who led a full, fascinating life. This book goes some way in illustrating that to the world.
I think Makeba is an interesting figure in popular music and the struggle for human rights, both in the U.S. and abroad, and I found the story of her life to be engaging. Did I believe everything she said? No, not quite. I think, like all of us, she has a tendency to make herself the hero in her own stories. She also tends to employ a certain poor-misunderstood-me element in her life story. The of her marriages is never her fault. The career upsets are due to the misinterpretations of others, not down to any of her actions. Well, maybe, but I suspect we're only getting part of the story.
Nonetheless, I found her a good, accessible storyteller, who led a full, fascinating life. This book goes some way in illustrating that to the world.
November 3, 2019
I’m so thankful that this book was passed onto me. I knew of Mother Africa, her music and the atrocities of Apartheid. What I didn’t know was of her personal struggles and her strength to withstand not only for herself and her family but all of us.
October 19, 2021
What a woman! What a life! What a story! A life so rich and riveting that this book holds your attention inspite of the less than stellar writing.
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October 24, 2025
Prachtig boek over een bijzonder leven.
August 4, 2025
Die Biografie ist nicht nur ein spannender Einblick in das Leben von Miriam Makeba, sondern auch ein Blick in die Vergangenheit Südafrikas und die teilweise beschämende Geschichte Weißer Westeuropäer. "My Story" zeigt die Entwicklung einer unheimlich starken und inspirierenden Frau und lässt einen beim Lesen mitleiden, mitfiebern und immer wieder verblüffen. Die Biografie ist einfach nur toll geschrieben, direkt, ehrlich, mit Witz und Charme. Ein tolles Buch für alle, die gerne über den Tellerrand hinaus lesen und/oder sich für Musik interessieren.
May 23, 2014
More like 3.5. A compelling story as she had such an amazing life; being in the center of so much that was happening for Africa in addition to her own dramatic personal life. This seems to be a "told to" story so the writing is not amazing but her story kept me riveted. I would like to compare her version of events with a biography, however, as it's always interesting to see how personal perceptions align with others' perceptions.
April 14, 2010
I loved her singing so I decided to read her autobiography. She brought to light the differences between Western and African culture. Like the fact that in Western culture, your ancestors are dead but in her culture, the ancestors are with the person all the time that they are alive. This is a book that I would love to read again.
January 31, 2015
I really enjoyed this autobiography. I love Miriam Makeba's music, and her story really marks her place in history, especially the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. She has had an amazing life, and it was a pleasure to read about it.
October 2, 2009
Great memoir of a truly tender, talented, and tough African woman. A true legend!
January 4, 2013
I love everything about Mama Africa and her music. Very good read.
July 17, 2014
Perfectly her story.
November 29, 2015
Solid, informative autobiography, not deep, though. Insight to Makeba's relationships in the entertainment and political worlds. The end falls apart some.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews