In a night of glamour and nostalgia, the Basadi In Music Awards hosted a gala dinner to honour the legends of South African music, aptly titled “Queens of the 90s”.
The event, held at the Joburg Theatre on Thursday, brought together some of the most iconic female figures in South African music.
Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, Dr Naledi Pandor, Nhlanhla Mafu, Sharon Dee, Andile Gaelisiwe, Thandiswa Mazwai, Wanda Baloyi, Candy Tsa Mandebele, Baby Gee, Zandi Nhlapo, Mel Bala, Claire Mawisa, Penny Lebyane, Pushie Watson and Twasa were among the legends honoured for their contributions in their respective fields.
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was among the guests in attendance, alongside legendary musicians such as Abigail Kubeka, Thembi Seete and Wanda Baloyi.
Abigail Kubeka expressed her gratitude for the recognition, emphasising the importance of acknowledging the contributions of legends while they are still alive.
“Its like rubbing salt on a wound. To this day, things are not right, we are still struggling to be recognised and appreciated and you wonder why you got yourself involved in this mess but I didn't, it was a calling which I did not expecting any reward. I did it for my people, to heal them. We brought people together and they listened,” she told TshisaLIVE.
“Keep us alive. As it is now, we are buried alive. We are not doing anything. we are still here and we want to help the government. we feel part of the government. I'm not just talking about money, but I'm talking about recognition because we are forgotten. The only time they are going to speak about us is when my coffin is in front of them.”
Penny Lebyane, another honoree, said she came from a generation that did things to make an impact and not for recognition, and the younger generation has to learn that.
“We paved the way,” she said.
“Women need to support each other. There's no woman thing that I do not support. Women need to show up for other women. You have to show up for the women who came before you, those who are in your generation and others too, not just liking and retweeting on social media.”
Thembi Seete, who accepted her accolade alongside her fellow Boom Shaka group members, paid tribute to the late Lebo Mathosa.
“This means the world to me. We started as friends, doing this out of love and passion for the arts. Lebo was an anointed and brilliant singer and we collaborated not knowing it would one day be recognised like this.”
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