Miriam Makeba to announce shock retirement from music?

Sad news for Makeba fans. Speculation had been rife that Mama Africa is about to announce her retirement from music, at age 94, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 02/05/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a singer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a singer-activist just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouMiriam

For a little while on Friday evening, #ThankYouMiriam was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“Miriam Makeba was unlike any other singer we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouMiriam”
— @universalObserver, 1 May 2026

“I thought Miriam Makeba retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 1 May 2026

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