THE LEGENDARY Ladysmith Black Mambazo will be embarking on a SA Legacy Tour.
It began in Jozi at Joburg Theatre from May 24 to 28, to all most packed audience.
The Joburg Tour was part of celebrating Africa Month.
From then onwards the five-time Grammy Award-winning isicathamiya group moves to Durban’s Playhouse, from the 26th of September until the 1st of October.
Cape Town’s Artscape hosts them from the 14 – 19 of November, and in December they will be at Pretoria’s State Theatre from the 15th to 17th.
At the opening show in Joburg, each member recounted how they joined the group and what led to that, and so forth. Legions of fans (young and old) dressed in scarfs, beanies and over-coats clapped, rejoiced and gave a well-deserved standing ovation as they sang along almost every song.
The founder of the group, Professor Joseph Shabalala, was a storyteller and he used music to share his life’s personal experience through music. Singing in front of South African audiences is like the completion of the Lifecycle of the musical journey.
Founded in 1960; it went on to record and perform with global music icons, including Burna Boy, Josh Groban, Paul Simon, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, The Winans, Dolly Parton, and many more.
“The overwhelming support from South African audiences and neighboring countries paved the way for Ladysmith Black Mambazo to showcase their music globally.”
“South African audiences were the first to endorse the success of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. From humble beginnings, the group broke records by being the top-selling music group in South Africa in the late 70s and 80s,” says group member Sibongiseni Shabalala, the son the late ubaba Shabala or umshengu (clan name).
“Performing at home is very special because the social issues of South Africa inspired the music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo during the dark days of Apartheid till now.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a mirror of South African Society,” says Albert Mazibuko, who has been with the group since it began. “The South African National tour aims to reconnect with local audiences and also celebrate the legacy of the group since it was established.”
Part of the legacy and one of the highlights of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s musical journey is being the anchors and touch bearers of isicathamiya music and indigenous music. Four years ago, Ladysmith Black Mambazo launched the Ladysmith Black Mambazo Mobile Academy which discovers and develops young aspiring groups who sing isicathamiya and indigenous music.
Continued Shabalala, “Three of the groups we discovered have toured with Ladysmith Black Black Mambazo on its international tours. Each night of the South African tour we will have Mzamo Young Boys (KZN), Mohlakeng Accapellas (Free State), Botshabelo Sunrise (Free State), and Good News (Mpumalanga) performing. ”
Yes, ubaba Shabalala should be smiling from one ear to another in his grave!
The group will visit schools to motivate them and do a music masterclass with students, in each city they will be visiting.
Image SLM (The five-time Grammy Award-winning isicathamiya group Ladysmith Black Mambazo handed guests an award winning performance in Joburg recently).
