Mambazo cut overseas tour short

A GREAT tree has fallen.

This was one of the tributes paid to South African music titan Joseph Shabalala, who died yesterday.

The founder of legendary multiple Grammy-winning Isicathamiya group Ladysmith Black Mambazo died at Eugene Marais Hospital in Pretoria after a long illness. He was 78.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo manager Xolani Majozi said: “This loss comes as a big blow to not just the group, but also the family, especially as the group is currently performing in America.”

The group cut their tour short when the news broke, and the family was meeting to make funeral arrangements, he said.

Albert Mazibuko, 71, who has been with the group for 51 years, said the group was saddened by Shabalala’s passing.

“We were coming from San Diego and making our way to Los Angeles when we heard the news,” he said.

Political parties and entertainment heavyweights offered their condolences to the Shabalala family, the group and its followers.

IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the role Shabalala played in advancing South African music during the country’s darkest period would be remembered.

“A great tree has fallen… Mshengu rose from difficulties to the highest pinnacles of international recognition, inspiring every South African that with discipline, focus and commitment, nothing is impossible,” he said.

Film producer Anant Singh said he had had the privilege of working with Shabalala on the music for his film Cry

The Beloved Country, and they remained firm friends over the years.

Born in Ladysmith, Kwa-Zulu-Natal, to Mluwane and Nomandla Elina Shabalala, he was the eldest of seven siblings and grew up on a farm called Tugela. After his father died, he went to search for work in Durban where his talent for singing and playing the guitar was discovered.

The group’s name had various references: “Ladysmith” came from the town of Ladysmith where he was born and grew up; “Black” referenced black oxen and his rural upbringing; and “Mambazo”, which was an axe, was how the group cut down all opposition in competitions.