In Dalaba, the last Guinean home of Miriam Makeba, “Mama Africa”

An abandoned house but which is still majestically standing. And yet, behind this facade darkened by time, one of the most beautiful stories of Guinea still lingers. That of Miriam Makeba also called Mama Africa, author of the famous hit Paw Paw. She was born in 1932 in South Africa and died on November 9, 2008 in Italy.

At her home in Dalaba, she received everyone, from the greatest of the time to the most modest. Former presidents like Sékou Touré of Guinea, Kwameh Kourouma of Ghana, or even the most anonymous young girl in distress were welcome in his home. It was the people’s house. These paths, these walls, this living room, this wicker roof… everything here looks dull but the house is still nice.

A happy combination of circumstances meant that we met her granddaughter, Zenzi Makeba Lee, who was visiting her grandmother’s home. Memories, and above all emotion, were there.

Read also: Guinea: the forge of the father of Camara Laye, author of the famous novel “The Black Child”, object of attraction in Kouroussa

Zenzi Makeba Lee recalls how essential it is for all citizens of the world to get involved in helping identify her grandmother’s vast legacy. “My grandmother’s legacy is immense, it can be found in many countries. It took a while for the family to be able to list their assets.”

But the singer’s fight transcended borders and generations.it’s forever and it’s for youth» underlines the heiress of Mama.

Miriam Makeba’s house has been waiting for a long time to be renovated. But hope is reborn after the Guinean Minister of Culture, Moussa Moise Sylla, made the announcement. Work is expected to start in 2025. News welcomed with enthusiasm by Miriam Makeba’s family and her country of origin, South Africa.

Read also: Guinea: the legacy of Sékou Touré still under debate

Everyone, hand in hand, promises to renovate this house, a precious asset in Miriam Makeba’s enormous legacy, believes Zenzi Makeba Lee. “Guinean artists decorated his house in Dalaba in his time. It would also be good today if we did the same by bringing in local artists to create the decoration.“. This was Miriam Makeba’s home for fifteen years. There are still a few historical objects there, including the portrait of Stokely Carmichael, co-founder of the Black Panthers, whom she married in 1969.

During her lifetime, Miriam Makeba lived among the people of Guinea. Nothing could keep him away from the modest citizens of the world. And those of Dalaba held a special place in his heart. It was in these mountains that she returned to rest after a long international tour. Reconnect with nature. Talk to people, especially young people.

Miriam Makeba lived in Guinea until 1985, the year which saw her move to Belgium, after the death of Sékou Touré. Still inconsolable today, the inhabitants of Dalaba remember her. From his smile, his attentive ear, his precious advice… Today everyone hopes to see this house come back to life.