The Craighall Primary School Choir Festival will be Kubeka’s first public performance with the Craighall School Choir as part of her new role as music ambassador for the long-established government primary school.

In the build-up to the day and beyond the festival, Kubeka will also pass on more than 50 years experience as a singer, songwriter, musical arranger and actress to a new generation of young creative talents.

“I’m delighted to be able to work with such enthusiastic young singers,” comments Kubeka. “Craighall Primary has a special place in my heart with one of my grandchildren attending the school. But the fact that the festival will bring so many choirs and young singers together is something that brings real joy to me.”

Since 1957, when she first joined Miriam Makeba’s The Skylarks at the age of 16, Kubeka has performed with an array of international and South African talent including Abdullah Ibrahim, Kippie Moeketsi, Philip Tabane's award-wining Jazzmakers, Tshooks Tschukudu's Elite Swingers, Mackay Davashe's Jazz Dazzlers, Eartha Kitt, Percy Sledge and Monk Montgomery.

Kubeka’s versatility has also seen her perform in film, television and on stage, and her songwriting canon is a significant contribution to South African music.

“We are honoured to have someone of Abigail Kubeka’s calibre to contribute to both our choir and the upcoming festival,” says Craighall Primary School principal, Andrea Prout-Jones. “Music is woven into the fabric of Craighall Primary School. We’re hoping to be able to turn the school choir festival into an annual event that grows and provides a showcase and affirmation of the important role that culture continues to play in government schools.”

The Craighall Primary School Choir Festival has a legacy component following the request by Kubeka for participating schools, community members, parents and friends to donate unwanted musical instruments to the Abigail Kubeka Music Instrument Project, supported by Craighall Primary School. The instruments will be donated to under-developed schools to assist in the creation of vibrant music departments.

“We hope people will respond to the request for unused instruments and so allow the choir festival to support the growth of music education in schools that are not as well-resourced as ours,” adds Prout-Jones.

“This is part of our ongoing commitment to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela, who is not only an inspiration to our teaching staff and learners, but was also born in the same year that Craighall Primary was founded and so has a special place in our hearts.”

Tickets to the Craighall Primary School Choir Festival cost R30 per adult and R10 per child. For more information, phone Audrey Wilson on 011 788 7223/4 ext 5 or email [email protected]