Albert Mazibuko, a veteran performer with the iconic South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, died on Sunday following a short illness. He was 77.
The group announced the loss on their official Facebook page, remembering Mazibuko as a "wise elder" who mentored younger members and remained deeply committed to the ensemble's mission of spreading "peace, love and harmony."
A legacy of global harmony
Mazibuko joined the collective in 1969, nearly a decade after his cousin, Joseph Shabalala, founded the group. Together, they helped popularize isicathamiya, a traditional Zulu a cappella style characterized by soft, percussive harmonies and intricate shuffling dance moves.
The group achieved international fame in 1986 after contributing to Paul Simon’s landmark album,Graceland. Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, the ensemble secured five Grammy awards and toured extensively across the globe.
South Africa’s Minister of Culture, Gayton McKenzie, paid tribute to Mazibuko’s influence on Monday. "He was more than a performer; he was the custodian of a uniquely South African sound that travelled across the world and united people through music," McKenzie stated.
During the era of apartheid, the group served as a voice of hope for many South Africans. Mazibuko frequently spoke about the hardships of that time, noting his personal fear of the regime's strict movement controls and the dehumanizing requirement for black citizens to carry identification books.
"Apartheid was very harsh to us," Mazibuko told the BBC in 2015. He recalled the "miles and miles" of queues during the 1994 post-apartheid elections, describing the experience as "like heaven."
Born in the town of uMnambithi, now known as Ladysmith, Mazibuko left school as a young boy to work on a farm before dedicating his life to music. His contributions helped Ladysmith Black Mambazo become the first African group to release a gold-selling album with their 1973 record,Amabutho.
At the time of his death, the group was in the midst of a tour in the United States. Following the passing of their "kind to a fault" elder, the collective continues to perform with a mix of long-standing members and younger artists who carry on the traditions Mazibuko helped define.
