The legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo began their SA Legacy Tour in May at The Joburg Theatre, now they bring their beautiful isicathamiya sounds to The Durban Playhouse for the KZN leg of their countryide tour. The five time Grammy Award winning group, which has existed for six decades, perform in Durban on the 29th and 30th of September and the 1st of October. Tickets are R250.00 on Webtickets.
Later this year, the show will run in Cape Town at The Artscape Theatre, between the 16th and 19th of November. The final leg of the tour will be at Pretoria’s State Theatre from the 14th to 17th of December 2023.
Part of the legacy and highlights of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s musical journey is being the anchor and torchbearers of isicathamiya music and indigenous music. Four years ago, Ladysmith Black Mambazo launched The Ladysmith Black Mambazo Mobile Academy, where it discovered and developed young aspiring groups who sing isicathamiya and indigenous music.
Through this program – which is supported by the National Department of Sports Arts and Culture – some of the groups now share the stage with Ladysmith Black Mambazo at international shows and on this SA Legacy Tour. At The Durban Playhouse they will be showcasing talent discovered in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The groups are Africa Mamas from Durban, Umzamo Young Boys from Pietermaritzburg and Inkinzemnyama from Umsinga .
Says group member Sibongiseni Shabalala, “Ladysmith Black Mambazo aims to grow this program and expand it to all nine provinces in the country. The show will showcase a world-class performance by us and the newly discovered artists, with an aim of inspiring young artists to love, and preserve culture and heritage through music.”
Ladysmith Black Mambazo was formed in the early 60s and has recorded and performed with global music icons – including Burna Boy, Josh Groban, Paul Simon, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, The Winans, Dolly Parton and many more. The award winning group were described by President Nelson Mandela as ‘South African ambassadors of culture and heritage worldwide’.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo spend most of their year performing abroad, which makes this tour a special occasion for their SA fans, who have long supported them.
“South African audiences first endorsed 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. The overwhelming support from South African audiences and neighbouring countries paved the way for Ladysmith Black Mambazo to showcase their music globally.” Says Ladysmith Black Mambazo member Sibongiseni Shabalala of the group started by his late father Joseph Shabalala in the 1960s.
“Ladysmith Black Mambazo has embarked on this national tour celebrating our journey in the music industry and thanking South Africans for the love and support they have shown us,” says Albert Mazibuko who has been in the group since it began.
“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,” continues Mazibuko.
“The South African National tour aims to reconnect with local audiences and also celebrate the legacy of the group since it was established,” adds Shabalala.
“The founder of the group, Professor Joseph Shabalala, was a story teller, and he used music to share his life’s personal experience. Singing in front of South African audiences is like the completion of the Lifecycle of the musical journey,” says Shabalala of his father.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo are looking forward to the Durban shows because the city has historical significance in the groups journey. “Ladysmith Black Mambazo regard Durban as their second home, since after Joseph Shabalala migrated to Durban in 1960 he formed Ladysmith Black Mambazo in Durban where he was staying with founding members in Claremont township, near Pinetown, Durban,” explains Shabalala.
He promises that Durban crowds can “Expect dynamic and heart rendering music from Mambazo classics and new songs. Expect our signature five star performance.”
Mazibuko feels it is perfect that this tour stop is happening over Heritage Month. “The Music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a cultural export of our heritage and culture globally. We are now showcasing what the world has been witnesssing during our tours, back home in Durban.”
The Ladysmith Black Mambazo Legacy Tour is supported by The Department of Sports Art and Culture and Mzansi Magic.
Main Image: Instagram
