By Johnathan Paoli
Veteran musician Albert Mazibuko, a long-standing member of the internationally acclaimed group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, has died at the age of 77.
His passing was confirmed by the group in a Facebook post on Monday, following his death on Easter Sunday.
“Dear friends, it is with immense sadness that we tell you that our brother, Albert Mazibuko, has left us this Easter Sunday to be with his saviour in heaven. Mdletshe Albert Mazibuko, or just ‘Albert’ to anyone who ever met him, was the best of the best,” the official statement read.
Mazibuko was a foundational figure in the evolution of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, having joined the group in 1969 at the invitation of founder Joseph Shabalala.
“For the next 55 years, Albert was a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. He was Joseph’s ‘right-hand man’,” the group said.
Following Shabalala’s retirement in 2014, Mazibuko assumed the role of elder statesman within the ensemble, mentoring younger members and preserving the group’s legacy.
The group described him as both a musical and personal pillar, whose influence extended far beyond the stage.
“Albert was a saint. He was kind to a fault. He loved travelling the world, spreading the mission and music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. He never tired of talking about the group’s history and its desire to spread ‘peace, love and harmony’ everywhere people had ears to listen,” the statement read.
Mazibuko also became the public face of the group in many respects, frequently engaging with the media and audiences globally.
The group, formed in the 1960s, rose to global prominence through its distinctive isicathamiya sound: a cappella harmonies rooted in Zulu musical traditions.
The group further contributed to expressing the struggles of Black South Africans during apartheid, and achieved international success after collaborating with artists such as Paul Simon, as well as working with global stars including Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton and others.
Over the decades, the group has won multiple international awards, including five Grammy Awards, and has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages.
Their early dominance in local isicathamiya competitions was so pronounced that they were eventually barred from competing due to repeated victories.
Details regarding memorial services and funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, but the group said it would share further updates, including tributes and commemorations celebrating Mazibuko’s life, in due course.
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