By Luyanda Makapela

The ashes of Mama Afrika, who passed away after a performance in Italy last week, are to be scattered at the Cape Point at midday today.

It had been her wish to be cremated and have her ashes scattered at sea.

Spokesperson for the Makeba family, Thabo Motau said: “Her ashes will be scattered between the Indian and Pacific Oceans at the Cape Point by family members at midday today.”

Former First Lady and Nelson Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel has organised that friends and family view the ashes being scattered from a helicopter.

Mr Motau added that the family was delighted that they have managed to get the video of Ma Makeba’s last performance in Italy, where she died

At the weekend thousands gathered in Johannesburg for her memorial service including

Deputy President Baleka Mbete, former President Thabo Mbeki and his wife Zanele,

Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan as well as various local musicians and celebrities.

President Kglame Motlanthe, who was attending the G-20 Summit in Washington, was able to send a special video message.

The Makeba family held a private cremation ceremony on Sunday.

On Monday, the National Assembly praised the late Miriam Makeba for her contribution in the struggle against apartheid, saying that South Africa has lost its goodwill Ambassador to Africa.

Addressing Parliament on Monday, the Deputy President said her life was a message by itself to all people who aspire to either public office or celebrity status.

“Her life says to all of us as public representatives, to carry responsibility to all those without a voice while teaching us that to be a public figure is to be selflessly dedicated to the poor, the marginalised and the vulnerable.”

Ms Mbete said Africa has lost a true daughter and a patriot to whom it was unforgivable to be a singer and just entertained without educating the world about tragedy of women survivors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In March this year, Ma Makeba visited the DRC in her capacity as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Ambassador. She expressed grave concern over the sexual violence in that country.

“These were not the words of a woman who was only interested in the world fame of becoming rich, she was acquainted with the sea of poverty, hunger, hopelessness besetting our families and neighbourhoods,” said Ms Mbete.