Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala passes away

Shabalala died at a hospital in Pretoria on Tuesday morning. He underwent spinal surgery in 2017 and had been ill for some time.

Music In Africa spoke to Shabalala’s son and LBM member, Sibongiseni Shabalala, who confirmed the news from the US. “From what I just heard, he died this morning at a hospital in Pretoria,” he told Music In Africa.

Condolences have been pouring in on social media following the singer's death. 

“We would like to extend our condolences on the passing of Joseph Shabalala who was the founder of the group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Rest in Peace father,” the South African government wrote on Twitter.

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation wrote: “World-renowned isicathamiya musician and Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala has died. Under his leadership, his group has won four Grammys and carved a legacy in the music industry locally and abroad.”

Local musician Sipho 'Hotstix' Mabuse wrote: “South African musician, my friend, a giant humble man, Joseph Shabalala, passed away this morning. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Rest in Peace Joseph. Condolences to his family and industry colleagues.”

In 2018, Music In Africa spoke to Sibongiseni after LBM won a fifth Grammy Award.

“My father is no longer active in the group,” he said. “He just stays at home. We visited him at home recently because we had just arrived from tour after winning the Grammy in January. So we went there to show him the fifth Grammy and he was very happy. He still gives us advice here and there but he is taking his time enjoying his retirement at home.  

Sibongiseni said his father had encouraged the group's members to continue the LBM legacy. “My father left four sons in the group when he retired. He told us to continue working together so that the group remains strong. That's basically what we are doing, taking leadership from two founding members who are still in the group, namely Albert Mazibuko and his brother Abednego."

Born in the town of Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal, Joseph Shabalala started LBM in 1960 and gained local fame in the early 1970s. The a capella group's biggest break came in 1986 when Paul Simon travelled to South Africa to collaborate with local artists for his Graceland album, giving the group worldwide recognition. The following year, LBM won its first solo Grammy for the album Shaka Zulu. Since then, LBM has won five Grammys, making it the most successful African export in terms of Grammy victories.