The Municipal Council of Nîmes will propose this Monday, September 28, to name the new crèche in the Mas de Mingue neighborhood, operational since May 4, 2026, after Miriam Makeba. This choice, made in consultation with families, aims to honor an artist whose voice was a powerful tool against injustice, thereby giving this new facility a strong identity focused on openness and fraternity.
Located at 1412 route de Courbessac, the Mas de Mingue crèche opened its doors on May 4, 2026. Built near the former « Les Grillons » crèche, it now offers 50 cribs, an increase from the previous 20. The facility has been completely redesigned to meet the needs of children and families in the eastern sector of the city. Designed to promote social diversity and open to its neighborhood, this new center provides enhanced reception conditions and contributes to an early childhood care offer better suited to the area's demands. The Samuel Vincent association manages the establishment under a public service delegation, as part of a broader project to renew and expand early childhood services in Nîmes.
To mark this significant milestone, the City of Nîmes wished to assign a name carrying strong values to the facility, in collaboration with those most involved. Three personalities were proposed to parents: Madeleine Riffaud (1924-2024), a Resistance fighter, journalist, and poet; Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), a renowned painter; and Miriam Makeba (1932-2008), an iconic singer. Following consultations that included workshops with families, the name Miriam Makeba was selected.
Born in Johannesburg in 1932, Miriam Makeba, nicknamed « Mama Africa », brought African music to global stages with her powerful voice. An engaged artist, she courageously denounced apartheid, leading to thirty years of exile, and lent her voice to her people before the United Nations. Championing freedom, equality, and human dignity, her music united people across borders, origins, and generations, becoming a major symbol of the fight against injustice.
By naming the crèche after her, the City aims to place young children under the banner of dignity, fraternity, and openness to others – values it wishes to instill from an early age within an environment attentive to cultural diversity. « Naming a crèche after Miriam Makeba offers children a model of courage, joy, and sharing. It also reminds us that music can unite, change consciences, and inspire the construction of a more just, supportive, and fraternal world, » stated Pascale Seguin, municipal councilor for Early Childhood, Crèches, and Family. This choice, shared with parents, reflects the City's commitment to an early childhood policy developed with families. The crèche teams welcome children daily, introducing them to music, languages, and cultures.
An inauguration ceremony for the Miriam Makeba crèche is scheduled for October 13, with families, staff, and elected officials in attendance.
