Mama Abigail Kubeka to be honoured with one night only star-studded performance

702’s Bongani Bingwa speaks with singer, songwriter, musical arranger and actress Abigail Kubeka.

Listen below:

Kubeka is a living legend who has been shining in the spotlight for 68 years.

Born in Orlando in 1939, she was discovered my Miriam Makeba as a teenager and became a member of the Skylarks.

“I looked up to them, I said ‘this is who I want to be like, these are the things I want to do.’ They were singing, they were speaking, and they were beautiful from the inside.”

- Abigail Kubeka, Singer, Songwriter, Musical Arranger and Actress 

Looking back at the South Africa she grew up in, she says it is hard to believe she ever lived that way.

“You even get surprised you survived.”

- Abigail Kubeka, Singer, Songwriter, Musical Arranger and Actress 

She says she always knew she wanted a better life, and dreamed of liberation.

Her music and artistry gave her the opportunity to fight the oppression she had been born into.

“I remember when Tata Mandela came out of prison... I went to see him in Orlando West and found him sitting under a tree. He said, ‘Oh Abigail, your music kept us alive.’ For him to say that made me even stronger, and more confident.”

- Abigail Kubeka, Singer, Songwriter, Musical Arranger and Actress 

Kubeka is now 85 years old, but says her days as an artist feel like they were just yesterday.

To celebrate her remarkable legacy, the State Theatre in Pretoria is putting on the Van Toeka Af Tribute Concert in July.

Some of South Africa’s biggest stars will come together for the show to honour her role in our country’s history.

RELATED: ‘We got our freedom, but lost our country. Let’s get it back’ - Abigail Kubeka

The one night only event will take place on Saturday, 5 July 2025 at 18:00 at the State Theatre in Pretoria.

See more information on the Department of Sports, Art & Culture website here.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.