Mourning Miriam Makeba

She collapsed and died at a concert in Naples this morning.

Reading this obituary on Al-Jazeera made me cry. So much suffering and struggle. When her daughter died in 1985, Makeba couldn't afford a coffin, and buried her alone. No one should ever have to live through that.

And yet, and yet, and yet - she sang. She channelled joy and power on the stage, for all of us. She died in the fullness of doing her thing, and doing it full throttle.

Safiri salama, Miriam. Thank you for all you have given to us, all you have meant to us, all you have left for us. Wherever you sing now, stay brave, and blessed, and beautiful.