SA: Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Abigail Kubeka to receive Lifetime awards

12 Oct 2022 - 15:32

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

South African artists Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Abigail Kubeka will each be honoured with a SAMPRA Lifetime Award at the inaugural Basadi in Music Awards (BIMA) at Gallagher Estate Convention Centre in Johannesburg on 15 October.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Abigail Kubeka will each be honoured with a SAMPRA Lifetime Award on 15 October.

Founded by entertainment entrepreneur and public relations professional Hloni Modise-Matau, the awards will honour and celebrate women in music. It will be hosted by rapper and TV presenter Nomuzi Mabena and actress and media personality Anele Zondo.

“One cannot dispute the contribution that Mam’Abigail and Mam’Yvonne have made to the music industry,” BIMA CEO Modise-Matau said. “They have changed history and broken the glass ceilings so that women in music today are able to soar. We are honoured to be presenting them with the lifetime awards because their influence in evolving musical genres ensures that today we are able to enjoy cultural diversity through music.”

SAMPRA chief marketing officer Tiyani Maluleke said: “Congratulations to beacons of women in our industry. We see you, Mam’Yvonne. We see you, Mam’Abigail. As SAMPRA, we are so proud to be a sponsor of a category as prestigious as you both are. What a momentous occasion.”

Born in Dobsonville, Soweto, Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s journey in music began in 1984 at 19 when she was discovered by Phil Hollis who aided her in releasing her first album I’m in Love With the DJ. This was followed by hits ‘Thank You Mr DJ’ and ‘I’m Burning Up’ in 1986 and 1987 respectively. Since then, Yvonne Chaka Chaka has released numerous albums over a career which spans three decades. These include Motherland, Cry for Freedom, Umqombothi, Sangoma, and Bombani.

On the other hand, Abigail Kubeka was born in Orlando East, Soweto, where her love for singing began at a young age. Her career began at the age of 16 in 1957, after being noticed by Miriam Makeba who invited her to join the Skylarks ensemble comprising Letta Mbulu and Mary Rabotaba. As an understudy for Makeba in jazz opera King Kong, Kubeka toured Europe in the 1960s and accompanied musical giants Abdullah Ibrahim and Kippie Moeketsi in cabaret performances in the nightclubs of Hillbrow. As a singer, songwriter, musical arranger and actress, she has contributed immensely to keeping musical traditions alive in particular following the destruction of Sophiatown.

Tickets to the event are available here.