The Skylarks (South African vocal group)

{{Short description|South African all-woman band}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}

The Skylarks were an all-woman South African band of the 1950s, founded by Miriam Makeba.

The original lineup comprised Makeba and Johanna Radebe, Mary Rabotapi, and Mummy Girl Nketle. Later, Helen Van Rensburg and Abigail Kubheka replaced Radebe. https://africanmusiclibrary.org/band/The%20Skylarks https://soulsafari.wordpress.com/2010/10/01/south-african-soul-divas-pt-4-miriam-makeba-amp-the-skylarks/

At one time they were the most popular Black singing band in the country. They also recorded and played as The Sunbeams.{{cite book|last=Meintjes|first=Louise|title=Sound of Africa!: Making Music Zulu in a South African Studio|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LnWXdHLO7EwC&pg=PA54|accessdate=9 September 2017|date=15 January 2003|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=9780822384632|page=54}} They played a blend of South African music and jazz.{{cite book|last=Lentz|first=Harris M.|title=Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2008: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BH7GCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA275|accessdate=9 September 2017|date=17 April 2009|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786453849|page=275}}