“sheer joy and love” – Paul Simon
Ladysmith Black Mambazo has performed for millions of people, singing a message of peace, love and harmony. With their 2024 release, Soothe My Soul… Songs From Our South African Church, the group puts their spin on gospel music.
The year 2025 marks the sixty-fifth anniversary of Joseph Shabalala forming Ladysmith Black Mambazo. His group conquered all of South Africa and would become a worldwide phenomenon. Further, they won more Grammy Awards (five) and have received more nominations (nineteen) than any World music group.
During the dark years of South African Apartheid, Ladysmith Black Mambazo followed a path of peaceful protest. Here, they did this through songs of hope and love. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, he said he listened to their music while in jail. Additionally, he was inspired by their powerful message of peace. Thus, when Mandela won the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, he asked the group to join him at the ceremony. It was Mandela who called Ladysmith Black Mambazo “South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors to the World.”
In the mid-1980s, American singer/songwriter Paul Simon famously visited South Africa. There, he incorporated the group’s rich harmonies into his renowned Graceland album. This became a landmark recording, considered seminal in introducing World music to mainstream audiences. Furthermore, this brought the group to the attention of music lovers all over the world.
After leading his group for over fifty years and approaching his seventy-fifth birthday, Joseph Shabalala retired in 2014, handing the leadership to his three sons, Thulani, Sibongiseni and Thamsanqa Shabalala.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is Thulani Shabalala, Sibongiseni Shabalala, Thamsanqa Shabalala, Msizi Shabalala, Albert Mazibuko, Abednego Mazibuko, Mfanafuthi Dlamini, Pius Shezi and Sabelo Mthembu.
Recommended for fans of Paul Simon, The Soweto Gospel Choir, Oliver Mtukudzi and Mafikizolo.
