South African music legend Miriam Makeba has kicked off her international farewell tour with a concert in her hometown, Johannesburg.
Concert attendees say the 73-year-old Makeba became emotional after she was greeted with a standing ovation as she took the stage Monday. She told the audience not to pay too much attention to reports of her retirement.
Makeba began performing in the 1950s with a South African group, The Manhattan Brothers. In 1965, she became the first black South African to win a Grammy Award for a recording she did with Harry Belafonte.
Forced to live in exile for at least 30 years, Makeba became an outspoken anti-apartheid activist throughout Europe and the United States.
Also known as "Mama Africa," Makeba says she will tour through next year, thanking international audiences for their support.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.
