Award-winning songstress, mother and philanthropist, Gloria Bosman, will be honoured- a few months after her passing. Zimoja has learnt that the Amaqwathi singer will be lauded for her contribution in music industry, in a career spanning over two decades.The Soweto-born Bosman always distinguished herself with soothing, silky vocals and her ability for crossing over to other music genres with ease.

Although the news are still kept hush hush by the festival organisers, a highly placed Zimoja source says there is going to be a special tribute and Bosman's family will also be present. The organisers want the element of surprise to be kept under wraps until the last hour when the tribute is delivered to the audiences at the Sandton Convention Centre, the venue for the gig.

"They are planning something for her. From what we have learnt is that singers like Zoe Modiga will be a part of it," adds the source.

Gloria who died at 50, will be honoured along the late trumpeter, Hugh Masekela, whom she also shared a stage with.

When Zimoja called for comment about the special tribute, organisers of the festival were evasive. "We cannot confirm nor deny at the moment," said Helga Klizanie, who handles public relations for the event. 

South Africans were shocked when the news of Bosman's death was announced earlier this year. Even the ruling party ANC praised for her for courage and determination , describing her as, "a fiery and militant revolutionary in the creative sector". 

Bosman begun her singing career in church and theatre, however, after earning a scholarship to study opera at the then-Pretoria Technikon (now Tshwane University of Technology), she took her music career to greater heights. She became a household name and a force to be reckoned with. Her first album Tranquility was released in 1999 and scored the Best Newcomer gong at the South African Music Awards.

It opened more doors for her to work with other esteemed musicians. From there on, Bosman never looked back, scoring her second Sama. She also won two African Kora Awards and performed on many stages across the world.

Bosman performed and recorded with some of South Africa's finest musicians like her idol, the late Sibongile Khumalo. She also recorded with other late musicians, the likeable Moses Taiwa Molelekwa and Zimbabwean musician Oliver "Tuku" Mutukudzi, amongst other great musicians.