One of the most famous entertainers to come out of South Africa. If you watched The Cosby Show, she was on in the early 1990's. I just so happen to remember that episode.
A good tribute to her life can be found here. Her most famous song (in the U.S., that is), Pata Pata, can also be found here.
Apparently, she had a heart attack on stage and passed away. Just terrible.
I had the pleasure of seeing Makeba perform on Paul Simon's Graceland tour circa 1987. I can still remember the hope in her voice when she said that she hoped that just as she was performing in Simon's country, that someday she could bring Simon to perform in a free South Africa. Thankfully she got to see and enjoy that.