Nelson Lumumba Lee, 41, and his younger sister, Zenzile Monique Lee, 38, have been appointed by the Master of the High Court to become co-trustees of the ZM Makeba Trust.
They are the children of Makeba's only child, Sibongile Angela Makeba, who is deceased.
"Her wish was for us to be custodians of her trust and we want to be more proactive and ensure that any decisions taken are informed by her true descendants," said Lumumba, who is a songwriter and musician.
A tribute to Mama Africa, which was meant to take place at the Union Buildings last Sunday, was cancelled after negotiations between the Department of Arts and Culture and Morris Roda productions soured.
The department intends suing the production company for the return of R3-million it invested in the event. The organisers intend launching an application to force the department to honour its agreement.
The family has distanced itself from the debacle but Lumumba said: "We are saddened that other countries have held tributes to Mama, yet there has not been one in her country of birth."
In court papers he said: "The intellectual property rights arising out of her work - and attaching the Makeba name to it - are at the centre of the promotion and protection of her legacy and these are rights administered by the trust."
Lumumba said that the Makeba Centre for Girls, established by her in Midrand, was on the "verge of closing down if interventions are not put into place."
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Animal Farm-1209