Skeef's roots are firmly established in his cultural work with Steve Biko, the late South African civil rights leader. As a young activist, he co-led a nationwide literacy campaign in schools, colleges, and communities across apartheid South Africa.
Eugene is part of the international peace-building initiative called Quartet of Peace, initiated by Brian Lisus, a South African luthier. He composed "uxolo" (meaning forgiveness, in the Zulu language), specially commissioned for Brian’s string quartet of instruments in honour of South Africa's four Nobel laureates, Nelson Mandela, Dr Albert Luthuli, F. W. de Klerk and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
In 2012, Skeef performed at Orchestra In A Field, a classical/popular music cross-over festival situated in Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset. The event was televised by Channel 4.
In June 2008, Skeef and Richard Bissill's "Excite!", an orchestral commission by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, premiered at the Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre, London.
His choral work "Harmony" was performed at Westminster Abbey in March 2007 before the Queen and Commonwealth High Commissioners to promote global tolerance and understanding.
In March 2005, Skeef performed with his Abantu Ensemble at Buckingham Palace and was presented to the Queen as part of the historic Music Day to celebrate the diversity of culture in Britain.
