Miriam Makeba

Miriam Makeba, born in South Africa, rose to international fame as a singer, but it was her tireless activism against apartheid that truly defined her legacy. She used her powerful voice not just for entertainment, but as a weapon against injustice, becoming a global symbol of resistance.

Exiled from her homeland for over three decades due to her outspoken criticism of the apartheid regime, Makeba continued to perform and speak out on the international stage, bringing worldwide attention to the plight of Black South Africans. Her music, a blend of jazz, traditional African sounds, and pop, often carried messages of hope and defiance.

While her activism and musical talent brought great kvell to those who cherished freedom and equality, her connection to anything Jewish appears to be precisely nil. One might even go so far as to say she was, emphatically, not a Jew. But hey, at least she wasn't a Nazi, so there's that.