Ladysmith Black
Mambazo
Ladysmith
Black Mambazo is a male choral group from Durban, Kwazulu-natal, South Africa. Joseph
Shabalala started this group in 1960. Joseph started the group to teach people
about South Africa and it’s culture. The original group members included:
Joseph Shabalala, Headman and Enoch Shabalala (Joseph’s brothers), Albert,
Milton, Furokwakhe, Adednego, and Joseph Mazibuko (Joseph’s cousins), Matovoti
Msimanga and Walter Malingo (good friends).
The meaning of Mambazo is axe in the Zulu language. They used this
in their name to show that they “chop down” their competition. The group sings
in two singing styles which are: Isicathamiya, traditional Zulu music, and
Mbube, a cappella. They received 3 Grammy Awards and many other smaller awards.
To South Africans, they are known by being the most prolific recording artists
in South Africa, receiving both gold and platinum disc honors on their albums.
The first album was released in 1973 and soon after that they began competing
in Isicathamiya competitions. Later, they began to do concerts throughout South
Africa but occasionally got stopped by Police because of Apartheid.
In
January 1999, Joseph Shabalala started the Ladysmith Black Mambazo Foundation.
This was made to teach young South Africans about traditional culture and
music, which was Isicathamiya. At the moment, a Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Foundation Center is being built. This center will include: a rehersal hall,
multiple teaching areas, and professional recording studios.
This
group is a very well rounded group of guys that don’t just want to make it big
in the music industry but also want to teach people around the world and in
their country their culture and traditions. They are all great roll models that
could lead all young people to become wonderful people. They also can relate to
older people because they are teaching about old traditions and culture. Therefore,
they are a great group for everyone. I recommend that everyone should listen to
at least one of their songs because they are not only nice sounding but deep
and thoughtful, unlike most of the music that is on the radio nowadays.
Abby M
English 2A
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