Standard Bank Joy of Jazz programme creates a space for music, storytelling and intergenerational dialogue
JOHANNESBURG, 31 August 2026 — An afternoon of music, reflection and powerful storytelling brought women from across South Africa’s creative and leadership landscape together as Ignite Her Soul celebrated women and honoured the enduring legacy of legendary performer Mama Abigail Kubeka.
Held on 30 August 2026 as part of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz programme, the Ignite Her Soul Experience brought together influential women and leading voices from music, arts, culture, business and leadership for a celebration centred on sisterhood, heritage and the power of women’s stories.
Rather than simply commemorating Women’s Month, the gathering created an intimate platform for reflection on the women whose contributions have helped shape South Africa’s cultural landscape — while encouraging a new generation to carry those legacies forward.
At the centre of the afternoon was Mama Abigail Kubeka, whose remarkable contribution to South Africa’s entertainment industry and cultural heritage was celebrated through music, personal reflections, storytelling and shared memories.
The programme featured heartfelt contributions and performances from Mama Abigail Kubeka, Mama Barbara Masekela, Mantwa Chinoamadi, Yolisa Koza, Gabi Motuba, Maleh, Music Shed and Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu, among others. From the opening circle and Tribute Wall to spoken-word performances, live music and thought-provoking conversations, each element contributed to an experience designed to honour women’s voices while creating space for connection across generations.
Celebrating the women behind the stories
At a time when conversations around representation, cultural preservation and women’s empowerment continue to shape South Africa’s social and creative landscape, Ignite Her Soul offered a reminder that celebrating women also means preserving their stories.
The event recognised the importance of creating spaces where women can share experiences, acknowledge those who came before them and build connections that extend beyond a single gathering.
Through its combination of performance and conversation, the experience placed personal stories alongside South Africa’s broader cultural history.
Mama Abigail Kubeka’s legacy provided a particularly powerful focal point.
Her career represents decades of contribution to the country’s arts and entertainment landscape, making her story part of a wider national archive of women whose creative work has helped define South African identity.
The tribute therefore extended beyond nostalgia. It became an opportunity to reflect on what it means to preserve cultural memory and ensure that the contributions of women are recognised, documented and passed on.
Culture as a catalyst
Ignite Her Soul also reflected the increasingly important relationship between culture, community and the economy.
The arts and creative industries do more than provide entertainment. They create platforms for employment, entrepreneurship, tourism, brand engagement and cultural exchange while contributing to the broader identity of cities and communities.
The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz programme has positioned music within that broader cultural ecosystem, bringing together performances, experiences and conversations that demonstrate the economic and social value of the creative sector.
In this context, Ignite Her Soul extended the festival’s impact beyond the concert stage.
It used music and storytelling as tools for connection, reflection and cultural preservation, while placing women at the centre of the conversation.
Mantwa Chinoamadi, curator of Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, expressed her appreciation to everyone involved in bringing the experience to life.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of Ignite Her Soul. Through music, storytelling, reflection and meaningful connection, we created a powerful celebration of women and sisterhood, while honouring the remarkable legacy of Mama Abigail Kubeka.”
A legacy that continues
Perhaps the most significant message emerging from Ignite Her Soul was that legacy is not simply something inherited — it is something continuously built.
The afternoon connected established cultural figures with contemporary artists and influential voices, creating an intergenerational exchange that placed experience, creativity and memory in conversation.
For younger women entering the arts, business and leadership spaces, stories such as Kubeka’s provide more than inspiration. They offer evidence of what can be achieved through longevity, resilience and an enduring commitment to one’s craft.
The gathering also demonstrated the importance of celebrating women while they are still actively shaping the cultural landscape.
By creating a platform for dialogue and recognition, Ignite Her Soul turned celebration into an act of preservation.
Joy of Jazz extends beyond the stage
The Ignite Her Soul Experience forms part of the broader 2026 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, which continues to position the festival as more than a music event.
Through its combination of music, cultural experiences and platforms for dialogue, Joy of Jazz contributes to Johannesburg’s cultural economy while showcasing the country’s rich creative talent.
Tickets for the festival are available through Ticketmaster South Africa.
Current ticket options include:
- R1,150 — Friday/Saturday Day Pass, General Admission
- R2,250 — Weekend Pass covering Friday and Saturday
Standard Bank cardholders can qualify for up to 15% off, limited to two tickets per person when using a valid Standard Bank debit, cheque or credit card, subject to availability and applicable terms and conditions.
As Women’s Month draws to a close, Ignite Her Soul leaves behind a message that extends well beyond the event itself: women’s stories are cultural assets, their voices are part of the national archive, and their legacies deserve to be celebrated, protected and carried forward.
And in honouring Mama Abigail Kubeka, the celebration did more than look back.
It created space to ask what the next generation of women will create, preserve and leave behind.
