Rome/Johannesburg  - South African singer Miriam Makeba died Monday morning from a heart attack in an Italian clinic, an Italian media report said.

According to the ANSA news agency, 76-year-old Makeba felt ill after a performance on Sunday evening and was brought by ambulance to a hospital in Castel Volturno in southern Italy, where she died.

Makeba, a former anti-apartheid activist, was born on March 4, 1932, and enjoyed international fame with the hit song Pata Pata.

The artist, who was respectfully called Mamma Africa in heir home country, always put herself and her music in the service of freedom, justice and understanding between peoples.

Makeba, who also worked as an actress, author and composer, received rewards from all over the world for their fight against apartheid in South Africa. (dpa)