The International Women’s Day is a focal point in the women’s’ rights movement; bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights and violence and abuse against women.

In celebrating women of substance, we look at one particular woman in Africa, who contributed to the freedom of her people, while sacrificing her youth -Zenzile Miriam Makeba.

Famously nicknamed Mama Africa, Miriam Makeba was a South African singer, songwriter, actress and civil rights activist. She was associated with different musical genres such as jazz, Afropop and world music. Makeba was an advocate against apartheid and the white minority government in South Africa.

In the programme this week, we speak to a South African veteran songstress and actress, Mara Louw, and two other South Africans: Advocate Sipho Mantula a Pan Africanist and social activist, and Dr. Mpho Thoabala, a practicing doctor who stayed with Miriam Makeba in Guinea.

Take a listen…