Snl24 | Mam’ Abigail Kubeka gets her flowers!

Abigail Kubeka will be honoured on 17 August at the Joburg Theatre. Photo by Gallo Images

ICONIC singer and actress Abigail Kubeka will be honoured by Phambili Siyaya Arts organisation and the Joburg Theatre on 17 August.

The event will take place at the theatre in Braamfontein, Joburg, hosting a tribute for the Generations: The Legacy actress to celebrate her 67-year career.

Mam’ Abigail has starred in international productions such as King Kong, Ain’t No Misbehaving, and Best Whorehouse in Texas. She has also collaborated with South African musicians on projects like Our Father, Ma’s Got the Blues, Amen, and What Happened to Mbuyisa?, among others.

“I’m humbled and honoured to be celebrated during Women’s Month. Gone are the days when women were limited to the kitchen. We’ve demonstrated that we’re able to deliver across different industries. We must be reminded that oppression of women still exists in different forms. The struggle continues,” she said.

“What the 20 000 women did in 1956 changed many lives. They were determined. They were our mothers. When a mother puts on her fighting gear, you know it’s going to get real. We must never forget what they’ve achieved.”

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The 84-year-old star said she’s been blessed to witness Mzansi grow, saying it has come a long way.

“When the release of Nelson Mandela was announced, I was performing in Ain’t Misbehaving in Hillbrow. The cast stopped the performance halfway and celebrated. Not even the producers and director could stop the excitement. After the 1976 uprisings, entertainment came to a standstill. Schoolchildren who were peacefully marching against Afrikaans, ended up violently mowed down by gunfire.

“It turned into a nightmare. In 1994, we saw freedom. In 2024, people are disillusioned. They no longer trust. This is when we need to reflect on where we got it wrong and self-correct. We have a beautiful country. There’ll come a time when we’ll have to work together and agree on how we move our country forward,” she said.

The tribute will feature performances by Brenda Mtambo, Judy Page, Marah Louw, Mdu Masilela, Trompies, Lira, Simmy, and many other musicians.

Themba Sithole, the producer of the show, expressed his honour in working on the event.

“Mam’ Abi represents the Kofifi era, which was glamorous and exciting but also masked a life of pain and suffering. Performers had to fight hard to be recognised for their craft. Performers reflect the same resilience and strength in their respective fields. They remind us to never give up. Lira’s presence signifies that we must keep trying,” Themba said.

“Giving up is the last option. Kwaito is a revolution from the 1990s that continues to help kasi youth express themselves. Simmy and Brenda represent strides made by women performers in the entertainment industry.”

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