Ladysmith Black Mambazo to headline Bushfire festival after North American tour

As they wrap up their 39 back-to-back shows in North America on Wednesday, music group Ladysmith Black Mambazo was announced as one of the headline acts of the 18th edition of Eswatini’s MTN Bushfire festival.

The long-standing group is one of the acts announced by the festival this week. The list also includes 1990s Kwaito group Boom Shaka, Amapiano singer-songwriter Aymos, Zee Nxumalo, and 340ml.

ALSO READ: Ladysmith Black Mambazo embark on North American tour without founding member Albert Mazibuko

Black Mambazo in North America

To mark their 65 years in the music industry, the group embarked on a tour to perform in more than 30 cities across the United States and Canada, including New York, California, and Washington.

The tour kicked off on February 10th and runs until April 9th.  The group travelled without its founding member, Albert Mazibuko.

“Since late last year, Albert Mazibuko hasn’t been performing with the group in these types of shows because of his age. He’s 79 years old now, and these are 39 back-to-back shows,” Ladysmith Black Mambazo communications manager Xolani Majozi told The Citizen just before they went on tour.

Mazibuko has been part of Ladysmith Black Mambazo since its inception in the 1960s when Joseph Shabalala founded the group.

“He’s still part of the group. He’s just unable to go on these extensive tours because of his age and health,” averred Majozi.

Shabalala passed away in 2020, and some of his sons are part of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Just before their performance at California’s Ventura Music Hall, one of Shabalala’s sons, Thulani, explained their singing style to a local publication.

“The Zulu music involves a lot of singing but also dance and is based on call and response,” explained Thulani to VC Reporter.

“You hear the key from the person singing the song, not the keyboard, and it includes four-part harmony — lead, tenor, alto and bass.”

ALSO READ: Bushfire festival: For the people by the people

Bushfire’s return

Last year’s edition of the festival was successful, with numerous South Africans in attendance just after casting their votes in the elections.

A report by the Eswatini Tourism Authority in the Times of Swaziland on the last edition of the festival revealed a 50% increase in international arrivals compared to the previous year, with Mzansi as the biggest contributor.

South Africa emerged as the top source of international arrivals at the 17th edition of the Bushfire festival, which took place on the weekend of 31 May to 2 June. It accounted for an overwhelming 75% of the 22 880 total.

This indicates the festival’s strong appeal to neighbouring countries, with Mozambique closely behind at 11.3%.

Other countries that contributed significantly to the festival’s success include Zimbabwe, the USA, Lesotho, France, Portugal, Botswana, the United Kingdom and Germany.

NOW READ: Avis 4×4 Hilux safari: Ultimate double-cab comfort at MTN Bushfire festival [VIDEO]