🎧 Pata Pata

Episode summary: Miriam Makeba recorded ‘Pata Pata’ in 1967 with the help of American producer Jerry Ragovoy. It became a huge hit and Miriam Makeba used newfound fame to speak the injustices of apartheid. Her records were banned and South Africa and she was forced to live in exile. Here, people from around the world share their stories about what this iconic track means to them. Actor John Kani grew up in Johannesburg remembers dancing to the song when it came on the radio and says that Miriam Makeba became an inspiration for how art could bring about change. He would meet her years later after a concert in New York, and again in Johannesburg after apartheid ended. Author of ‘Makeba: the Miriam Makeba Story’, Nomsa Mwamuka, charts the history of ‘Pata Pata’ and why Makeba would come to see it as “frivilous”. Buks van Heerden is a pace-runner who has completed over 800 marathons. He plays ‘Pata Pata’ late in the race when the runners he’s pacing are getting tired and says it always lifts the mood. Angelique Kidjo says Miriam…