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Miriam Makeba's birthday Google doodle

Cape Town - Miriam Makeba's birthday has been commemorated with a Google doodle.

Makeba, also known as Mama Afrika, would have celebrated her 81st birthday on 4 March 2013.

The singer, actress and political activist was born in Johannesburg in 1932 and her career highlights included singing for presidents and the Pope - three times.

In 1966 she became the first African artist to win a Grammy Award for her album with Harry Belafonte, An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba.

Some of her most famous songs include Pata Pata and the Click Song, which have been sampled and used many times over in popular music.

Makeba died at the age of 76 in November 2008 after suffering a heart attack after a performance in Italy.

Rolling Stone SA editor Miles Keylock compiled this list of 10 songs that made Miriam Makeba's career

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