Joseph Shabalala, Founder of Five-time Grammy Award-Winning Group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Dies

Charles Molele

The glorious, gentle voice of Joseph Shabalala, founder of five-time Grammy Award-winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, is no more.

Shabalala died in a hospital in Pretoria, the country’s capital, on Tuesday morning at the age of 78.

Shabalala is widely known for founding and directing the world-famous South African isicathamiya group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which came to Western fame for its work on Paul Simon’s Graceland album and in the 1990s Heinz beans adverts.

The South African Government confirmed Shabala’s death on Twitter, saying: “We would like to extend our condolences on the passing of Joseph Shabalala who was the founder of the group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Ulale ngoxolo Tata ugqatso lwakho ulufezile.”

Shabalala, who was born Bhekizizwe Joseph Shabalala, started Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 1959 and went on to win multiple awards with them.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo found global fame in 1986 with Paul Simon’s Graceland album.