As the Basadi Music awards ceremony nears, excitement is massively building up around the fact that women are going to be exclusively honoured for their major contribution in the entertainment industry.
Two South African legendary music icons Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Abigail Kubheka will be the first recipients of the Lifetime Achievements at the inaugural Basadi In Music Awards (BIMA 2022).
The BIMA is the first of its kind in the South African music scene, to give recognition to the contribution and impact women have in the industry. The winners of the categories will be determined by the voters.
Musical icons 57-year-old Yvonne Chaka Chaka and 82- year-old Abigail Kubheka were both born in Soweto, in Dobsonville and Orlando West respectively. Kubheka is a songwriter, performer, and actress.
She has performed on many stages around the world, including a role in King Kong the theatre production during its tour of Europe in the 1960s. Kubheka has also shared the stage with jazz greats like Abdullah Ibrahim and the late Kippie Moeketsi.
She also acts in Generations the Legacy, which airs on SABC 1. Kubheka plays the role of the strict and no-nonsense Mam’Zondiwe. In the early 80s, the South African music scene had two queens – Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Brenda Fassie, who died at the tender age of 39 in May 2004.
Back then, music fans were having a tough time choosing between the two. Brenda was projected as the carefree one and Yvonne as the lady.
Yvonne shot to fame in 1984, at the tender age of 19 after her musical talent was discovered by Phil Hollins. Her first album titled “I’m in Love With the DJ” features songs like “It’s Raining In The City”, which enjoyed airplay on local radio stations.
“Thank You Mr DJ” and “I’m Burning Up” were follow-up albums released in ‘86 and ’87 respectively. Yvonne’s “Umqombothi”, from the album of the same name, was a big hit.
Known as the Princess of Africa, Yvonne’s music career spans over three decades. Yvonne is also the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund.
The award ceremony will be held at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand on Saturday night.
