By Katlego Sekhu
South African entertainment industry icons Abigail Kubeka and Yvonne Chaka Chaka have been announced as the inaugural Basadi in Music Award Sampra Lifetime Award recipients
The two legends will be honoured at the first annual Basadi in Music Awards this Saturday, 15 October 2022 at the Gallagher Estate Convention Centre.
Born in Orlando East, Soweto Abigail Kubeka displayed a talent for singing from a young age.
Her career began in 1957 when she was just 16 years old after being noticed by Miriam Makeba.
As an understudy for Makeba in the jazz opera King Kong, Kubeka toured Europe in the 1960s. She also performed in the award-winning Jazzmakers and other productions across the globe.
Kubeka also boasts an illustrious career as an actress
Also born in Soweto, Yvonne “Chaka Chaka” Mhinga was discovered by Phil Hollis of Dephon Records who aided her in releasing her first album I’m in Love With the DJ featuring The Stones.
It was then that her rise to stardom truly began, and she went on to release Thank You Mr DJ and I’m Burning Up in 1986 and 1987 respectively.
The acclaimed singer has released numerous albums over her career which has spanned over 3 decades. Many of these albums earned platinum status and received several music awards.
As one of the few Black South African female acts to break through outside South African borders, she earned herself the name “The Princess of Africa”
Tickets for the BMIs are available on Webtickets and can be bought t R400 for General tickets, R650 for Golden Circle tickets and R1000 for VIP tickets.
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