This Day in History: 10 June 1990
Miriam Makeba returned to South Africa on 10 June 1990 after 31 years in exile. Known as Mama Africa, she had left in 1959 as part of the cast of the musical King Kong and was barred from returning when the apartheid government revoked her passport in 1960. During her exile she built an international career, addressed the United Nations twice on the horrors of apartheid, and became one of the world's most recognised voices against white minority rule. Following the release of Nelson Mandela in February 1990, Mandela personally encouraged her to return. She arrived at Johannesburg's international airport on a French passport to a jubilant welcome. Makeba continued to perform and serve as a goodwill ambassador until her death on 9 November 2008.
