'I brought that girl up' — Mam Abigail Kubheka at Gloria Bosman's memorial service

Family and friends of award-winning jazz musician Gloria Bosman gathered at the Soweto Theatre, Jabulani, to bid her farewell on Friday.

Her death shot up the trends list on March 14. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Ahead of her funeral on Sunday March 19, a celebration of her life on Friday March 17 was a reflection of the strides she made in the music industry.

A montage of Gloria's life played out to her hit song, Wethembekile.

Musicians including Brenda Mtambo, Billy Monama, Simphiwe Dana, Nokukhanya Dlamini graced the stage rendering their mellifluous vocals in remembrance.

MC Coy Mrubata, Brenda Sisane, Sipho “Hot Stix” Mabuse, and friend and family representative Naledi Chiloane were speakers who shared memories of Gloria as her family wept in grief.

Legendary singer, songwriter and actress Abigail Kubheka reflected on her time spent with Gloria and mentoring her. 

“I can proudly say I brought that girl up, and I'm proud and I'm grateful to have been able to do that. I have worked with Gloria, I have worked with a lot of wonderful artists ... I've been blessed The 65 years I have lived in this industry.

“I have been in this business for 65 years, and I stand here proud because when I see people like Gloria ... I miss my peers, my sisters who brought me up whom I learnt a lot from. I took the baton and taught other young people.”

When the Southern African Music Rights Organisation's non-executive director Dr Sibongile Vilakazi took to the podium, she spoke of the influence Gloria made after being appointed to the board last December.

“She came into a Samro board that wanted her ... we had an initiative on the table that we had been discussing for a while, immediately she brought in a different perspective ... she shaped this initiative in a way that will benefit that underserved in the music industry. As Samro we will be announcing this initiative and we do hope that when you see it they feel the love, that this had the blessing of sis Gloria.”