It has to be done all over again, and I think that the present minister of culture and science is really trying to listen to the complaints of the artists and wants to do something. The new CD includes songs in English, Lingala and other African languages. When asked if singing in English alienates any of her African fans, Makeba bristled. Even the songs I sing in English are not from anywhere but Africa. I've never sung a standard.
All music comes from the world.
An outspoken activist as well as a singer, Makeba is currently the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation ambassador, and she works with various charities. Her latest project has been raising funds to renovate a home for street girls in a poor South African township affected by recent flooding. But despite the continuing problems there, Makeba was optimistic about South Africa's future. Our new president is trying. And I think we must be praised for what happened.