Founder of multiple Grammy award-winning group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Joseph Shabalala has died aged 78.
According the Ladysmith Black Mambazo website, the group was founded in the 1960s by Shabalala, describing their sound as isicathamiya developed by black mineworkers who worked far from home. As a way to entertain themselves, they would sing songs in the early mornings on Sundays after a six-day workweek, taking their sounds back home with them.
The group became very popular from the 1970s to 1980s. Working with American songwriter and singer Paul Simon they produced the song Shaka Zulu their first international release, resulting in their first Grammy in 1988 for Best Folk Song. Since then they have been awarded four more Grammys.
We would like to extend our condolences on the passing of Joseph Shabalala who was the founder of the group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Ulale ngoxolo Tata ugqatso lwakho ulufezile. #RIPJosephShabalala [Photo: Flicker: Seth Gordon] pic.twitter.com/Sazg9hoWew
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) February 11, 2020
Shabalala retired from the group and passed the leadership to his sons in 2014. Twitter quickly reacted to the news of his death, sending messages of condolences. Many remembered him as a legend and the huge impact he had in bringing South African traditional music to the world:
One of the greatest achievements of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and the leadership of Dr Shabalala, was the ability to pass the baton to a younger generation, great as they were. #RIPJosephShabalala pic.twitter.com/DXnmzV1Qfx
— Mathetha Mokonyama (@MathethaM) February 11, 2020
May your soul rest in peace baba Joseph Shabalala – Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder. What a legend! You took our music to the world and delivered it with such class …over and over again! You created legacy that keeps giving! ???? #RIPJosephShabalala #LadySmithBlackMambazo pic.twitter.com/xk9mBgkgW7
— Matiba Sibanyoni (@matibax) February 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/MmapasekaAndro1/status/1227146725040754688
A Legend has fallen. He played his part in bringing us together through music #RIPJosephShabalala pic.twitter.com/iYQcp7BBgO
— Tumelo Warona (@DjNewAfrica) February 11, 2020
Had a pleasure of meeting him. What a great guy. RIP to the legend #RIPJosephShabalala pic.twitter.com/SggZHO59cj
— Nkosiyezwe???????? (@nksyzw) February 11, 2020
Thank you for the music and your gift ????????♥️ #RipJosephShabalala pic.twitter.com/zNqidY3CI7
— Vuyolwethu Ngcukana (@vuyomse) February 11, 2020
To a true legend who graced foreign shores with our beautiful traditional music, sithi siyabonga mkhulu. Uwenzile umsebenzi wakho. Lala ngok'thula qhawe!
#RIPJosephShabalala pic.twitter.com/5Sw692i0Eh— Nombulelo Fox ???? (@FoxAndTheFro) February 11, 2020
A giant tree has fallen. #RIPJosephShabalala pic.twitter.com/WNlykuJKI6
— Terry Pheto (@TerryPheto) February 11, 2020
Legendary South African jazz musician Sipho ‘HotSix’ Mabuse tweeted, “My friend…a giant humble man, Joseph Shabalala, passed away this morning. My sincere condolences to his family and friends #RIPJosephShabalala. Rest In Peace Joseph.”
My friend… a giant humble man , Joseph Shabalala, passed away this morning.
My sincere condolences to his family and friends #RIPJosephShabalala Rest In Peace Joseph ???? pic.twitter.com/YkLggD6EPM— Hotstix (@siphohotstix) February 11, 2020
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