I first learned of her when she was on the cover of Essence. I can’t remember the exact month or year of the issue, but I’m thinking that it had to be some time during the very early ’80s.
She was so beautiful on that cover and on the pages inside. Her deep-brown skin was just so luminous and she had the most beautiful smile. When I asked my mother who she was, she said, “That’s Miriam Makeba!”
How sad it was to read of Miriam’s passing this morning. But, how fitting that, at 76, she was still doing what she loved to do – performing. Here’s hoping she could still hear the music playing, even as she slipped away.