The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, through its Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series, will host a landmark tribute concert in honour of the iconic Mama Abigail Kubeka — celebrating an extraordinary 68-year career in South Africa’s music, arts, and cultural landscape.
Scheduled for Friday, 5 July 2025 at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria, this one-night-only event will unite more than 25 legendary performers, all offering their time and talent in tribute to a woman whose voice, grace, and artistic influence have helped shape the soul of South African culture.
Directed by the esteemed Khaya Mahlangu, the concert will feature performances from luminaries such as Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Faith Kekana, Mandisa Dlanga, Khanyo Maphumulo, and Stella Khumalo. The audience can also look forward to musical contributions from icons including Sipho Mabuse, McCoy Mrubata, Babsy Mlangeni, and Fana Zulu, with a powerful opening performance by Zenzi Makeba Lee alongside the Miriam Makeba Band.
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This tribute forms part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to “give them their flowers while they can still smell them” — a core ethos of the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series. Launched in 2023, the series honours individuals whose artistic contributions have left an indelible mark on South Africa’s cultural heritage. It also provides sustainable support 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.”
Mama Abigail Kubeka’s career began in the 1950s, and she remains one of the last surviving artists to have performed alongside greats such as Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela during the apartheid era. Her body of work spans film, television, jazz, theatre, and activism — a legacy that continues to uplift and inspire.
This tribute follows in the footsteps of past Van Toeka Af honours bestowed on cultural giants including Dr John Kani and Dr Tete Mbambisa. These recognition events serve not only as emotional homecomings for the honourees but also as national moments of reflection on our cultural journey and future.
Event Details:
- Date: Friday, 5 July 2025
- Time: 18:00
- Venue: State Theatre, Pretoria
- Dress Code: Black Tie
- Tickets: R500 – Available at Webtickets and Pick n Pay
As the Minister Mckenzie & Deputy Minister Mabe aptly stated at the previous Van Toeka Af celebration:
“Let us not wait for memorials to honour our legends. Let us do it now, while their light still shines, and their stories still teach.”
Join us in honouring a living legend — Mama Abigail Kubeka, whose music, voice, and spirit have been the soundtrack of South Africa’s resilience.
Follow the conversation on social media:
@SportArtsCultureRSA | #HonouringAbigailKubeka #VanToekaAf #LivingLegendsSA
