The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is set to host a landmark tribute concert to honour the iconic Abigail Kubeka as part of the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series.
This extraordinary event, slated for July 5, at 18:00 at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria, will honour Kubeka's extraordinary 68-year career in South Africa’s rich tapestry of music, arts, and culture.
The concert follows previous tributes from the Van Toeka Af series, which has honoured cultural giants like Dr John Kani and Dr Tete Mbambisa.
These recognition events serve as emotional homecomings for honourees while acting as national moments of reflection on South Africa’s cultural journey and its future.
Directed by the acclaimed Khaya Mahlangu, it is revealed that the concert will showcase the talents of more than 25 legendary performers who are eager to lend their voices and artistry to celebrate a woman whose immense influence has helped sculpt the soul of South African culture.
Among the stars gracing the stage are the iconic Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Faith Kekana, Mandisa Dlanga, Khanyo Maphumulo, and Stella Khumalo. Adding to the anticipation, the evening will kick off with stirring performances by Zenzi Makeba Lee alongside the renowned Miriam Makeba Band, setting the tone for a night steeped in reverence and creativity.
This tribute is deeply rooted in the Department's commitment to “give them their flowers while they can still smell them”, embodying the very essence of the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series, launched in 2023. The series is dedicated to honouring individuals whose artistic contributions have left an indelible mark on South Africa’s cultural heritage. Furthermore, it highlights sustainable support for artists through platforms such as the Living Legends Legacy Fraternity Trust (LLLFT).
“Mama Abigail Kubeka is more than a performer; she is a living archive of our nation’s cultural memory. For nearly seven decades, her voice has carried the spirit of resistance, healing, and hope. Honouring her is both a duty and a privilege, reminding us that our greatest cultural treasures still walk among us, guiding us with wisdom and unmatched artistry.”
“The Van Toeka Af programme is about legacy, memory, and dignity. It says to our artists: we see you, we thank you, and we honour you. It ensures that future generations know whose shoulders they stand on and gives recognition to those who created beauty and meaning during some of South Africa’s darkest hours,” the department revealed.
A beloved figure, Kubeka has enthralled audiences since the 1950s and remains one of the last surviving artists who shared the stage with luminaries such as Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela during the oppressive apartheid era.
Saturday Star