Here we stand on Rue Miriam Makeba a street named after a remarkable woman. This unassuming street in Lyon holds a piece of history. It connects Rue de Montagny to Rue Pierre Delore. It’s a relatively new street opened in 2023. Before its creation this area housed the Patay factories. These were demolished in 2019. Now new buildings stand in their place. Some are modern apartments others still under construction.
Rue Miriam Makeba itself is quite short. It links two former impasses. One is near Rue Pierre Delore. It dates back to around 1950. The other opened to serve the Hameau Fleuri residence. This was built around 2000. The street’s architecture is a blend of old and new. On the north side you see a mix of recent buildings. Some are cream-colored some a vibrant green. On the south side a long wall with three entrances leads to the Hameau Fleuri. Beyond this is the Stade Dumont a sports ground for football and basketball.
Miriam Makeba the woman the street is named after was a powerful singer and activist. She was born in 1932 in Johannesburg South Africa. She died in 2008 in Italy. Makeba was a strong voice against apartheid in her home country. This led her to live in exile for many years. She lived in Europe Africa and America. Her powerful voice spoke for the voiceless.
She was more than just a singer. Makeba was involved in politics. She participated in the creation of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. She even served as a culture minister in Guinea. Tragically she passed away after a concert supporting Roberto Saviano. This was a concert against the Mafia in Italy. Her legacy continues to inspire. It’s reflected in this quiet Lyon street that bears her name. The Rue Miriam Makeba stands as a testament to her life’s work. It is a quiet reminder of a powerful woman’s impact on the world. Her music her activism her very life echo in the quiet streets of Lyon.