Mbeki honours Chaka Chaka at Unisa Chancellor’s Calabash Awards

Former President Thabo Mbeki at UNISA in Pretoria.

South African artist, Yvonne Chaka Chaka has been honoured with the Outstanding Alumna Award at the University of South Africa (Unisa) Chancellor’s Calabash Awards in Pretoria. Several other outstanding South Africans were honoured by Unisa Chancellor, former President Thabo Mbeki, for doing good in their communities.

Chaka Chaka dedicated her award to the legends of the music industry.

“I just want to say I am quite humbled and grateful for receiving this award. It is humbling that sometimes you just go out and do your work and accolades follow you. I dedicate this honour to people like Mirriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie and PJ Powers.”

Speaking at the Chancellor’s Calabash Awards, Mbeki emphasised the urgent need for the National Dialogue saying the country is in the grip of a debilitating general crisis affecting politics, the economy, international relations and the social sector, among others.

He also emphasised the importance of holding an inclusive National Dialogue. The former President also commended the Minister of Finance for injecting funds into the National Dialogue.

“I expressed about 18 months ago the urgent need for our people to engage one another in an inclusive national dialogue, including politics, our economy, social sector as well as safety and security and international relations.”

WATCH | University of South Africa Chancellor Thabo Mbeki is today honouring nine outstanding South Africans and Unisa alumni at the Chancellor’s Calabash Awards. SABC News Reporter Khayelihle Khumalo has the details live from Sandton. pic.twitter.com/b6b197xHqu

— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 14, 2025