In 1976 , the South African government replaced English with Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in all schools , setting off the Soweto uprising . Between 15,000 and 20,000 students took part ; caught unprepared , the police opened fire on the protesting children , killing hundreds and injuring over a thousand . Hugh Masekela wrote " Soweto Blues " in response to the massacre , and the song was performed by Makeba , becoming a staple of her live performances for many years . A review in the magazine '' Musician '' said that the song had " searingly righteous lyrics " about the uprising that " cut to the bone " . She had separated from Carmichael in 1973 ; in 1978 they divorced and in 1981 she married Bageot Bah , an airline executive
Soweto uprising
Soweto uprising
Miriam Makeba