South Africa’s creative community stood in collective salute on Saturday night as the country formally honoured legendary singer, actress and cultural icon Mama Abigail Kubeka in a national tribute concert at the State Theatre in Pretoria.
Convened by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture as part of its Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series, the event was a defining moment of recognition for one of the last surviving voices of South Africa’s golden era of performance.
The concert brought together over 25 prominent performers and musicians in a curated, multi-disciplinary tribute marking Mama Abigail’s 68-year contribution to South African arts and public life. From her early years in Sophiatown to her long-standing presence in theatre, film and jazz, Mama Abigail’s story is deeply intertwined with the evolution of South African culture under and beyond apartheid.
The tribute was not a public concert — it was a national moment of remembrance and recognition, designed to give one of the country’s last remaining golden-era artists her flowers while she is still alive. Artists performed for a minimum fee, volunteering their time and talent to honour a woman widely regarded as the matriarch of South African performance.
Mama Abigail Kubeka’s influence spans nearly seven decades — from the apartheid-era stages of Sophiatown to post-democracy television screens. She has broken barriers across genres: jazz, protest music, film, live theatre and popular entertainment. Her work has been politically subversive, emotionally resonant, and consistently committed to the advancement of South African identity through the arts.
The official tribute was delivered by Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Ms Peace Mabe, who described the evening as “an essential act of national memory.”
“Mama Abigail Kubeka is a living library. She is a custodian of our creative past and a witness to the power of art in shaping public consciousness. Tonight was not simply a celebration — it was a formal act of remembrance, of acknowledgement, and of justice. Her contribution to this country is immeasurable, and we are here to ensure it is never forgotten.”
The tribute concert was led by musical director Khaya Mahlangu and opened with a stirring performance by Zenzi Makeba Lee and the Miriam Makeba Band — a nod to Mama Abigail’s early career alongside South African legends during a time of intense censorship and political unrest. Performers on the night included Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Faith Kekana, Mandisa Dlanga, Khanyo Maphumulo, Stella Khumalo, Zamo Mbutho, and Caphius Semenya, supported by an elite ensemble of musicians including Sipho Mabuse, McCoy Mrubata, Babsy Mlangeni, Fana Zulu, Stompie Manana, and Sydney Mavundla.
The performances were interspersed with audio-visual archives of Mama Abigail’s decades of work, including rare footage from early films, stage plays, and radio appearances — many of which had not been seen in public for years. The carefully curated programme was as much a tribute as it was a living documentation of her contribution to the cultural life of South Africa.
Taking to the stage after the final tribute performance, Mama Abigail Kubeka offered a heartfelt and candid reflection:
“I started performing when I was just a girl in Orlando East. There was no television, no social media, and very few stages that welcomed people who looked like me. We sang to survive. We told stories to be heard. I never did it for awards or applause — I did it to leave something behind. Tonight, I felt the love of a country I’ve given my life to. Ngiyabonga. Thank you for this.”
Her legacy is especially important for female artists in South Africa, many of whom cite her as a direct inspiration for their own creative work. One of the evening’s standout performers, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, described Mama Abigail’s influence in personal terms.
“Mama Abigail opened doors most of us didn’t even know existed. She didn’t just perform — she endured. She taught us how to survive, how to protect our dignity, and how to keep creating when it would have been easier to give up. She is the reason so many of us believed we could have a voice.”
The tribute was part of the government’s ongoing Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series, which was established to formally celebrate South Africa’s senior artists while they are still alive. The programme is supported by the Living Legends Legacy Fraternity Trust (LLLFT), which facilitates documentation, knowledge-sharing and mentorship for each honouree. The Department has confirmed that archival materials from the tribute will be digitised and made available to future generations as part of the national cultural record.
Line-Up of Performers:
* Music Director: Khaya Mahlangu
* Special Appearance: Caphius Semenya
* Vocalists: Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Faith Kekana, Mandisa Dlanga, Khanyo Maphumulo, Stella Khumalo, Zamo Mbutho
* Musicians: Sipho Mabuse, McCoy Mrubata, Babsy Mlangeni, Fana Zulu, Stompie Manana, Sydney Mnisi, Prince Lengoasa, Base Mahlasela, Sanele Pheakathi, Sydney Mavundla
* Opening Act: Zenzi Makeba Lee & the Miriam Makeba Band
The evening ended with a full-stage collaborative performance honouring Mama Abigail’s most beloved musical works. The audience — a mix of fellow creatives, scholars, students, family members and senior government representatives — remained standing long after the final note. For many, it was more than a concert. It was the public recognition of a life’s work.
For more information on the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series, visit www.dsac.gov.za or follow @SportArtsCultureRSA on social media.
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