It was with great sadness that we learnt that Miriam Makeba passed away on Sunday 9 November 2008 after a performance in Rome, Italy. Former president Nelson Mandela said "It was fitting that her last moments were spent on a stage, enriching the hearts and lives of others - and again in support of a good cause." His tribute is one of many that has been made in her honour.

Miriam Makeba touched so many lives with her joy and generosity. The kindness and loving support she showed the girls will never be forgotten and her legacy will live on through them and the girls that the Makeba Centre will house in the future. Although her passing will leave a void in the lives of all who knew her, she will always remain within our hearts and we will honour her memory by supporting the Centre that she founded.

We offer condolences to all Miriam's family, friends and colleagues.

The Makeba Centre in Midrand, South Africa, is home to girls between the ages of eleven and eighteen. It was founded in 2003 by Miriam Makeba, the world reknown musical diva. Through the Centre, we provide a sanctuary for girls that have been destitute and/or abused, and have been removed from their circumstances through a court process. We strive to provide the physical, emotional and financial support the girls need whilst they continue with their studies. Our aim is to bring hope into the lives of these girls and equip them with the life skills they need to have a better future and overcome the adversity and hardships they have been born into.

The Centre receives a government grant per child, however these funds do not extend to the maintenance of the facility or the individual requirements of the girls. We therefore depend on private and corporate sponsorship to help us nuture these girls physically, emotionally and spiritually in order to make a lasting difference in their lives and enable them to be the best that they can be.

The house in Midrand has the capacity at present to house up to 20 girls at a time - and hopefully will be extended in the future to help more girls in the community. Ultimately, the dream is to have a Makeba Centre in every province of the country.