CEO and artistic director of the Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestras Bongani Tembe praised the late founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo Joseph Shabalala calling him a ‘musical giant’.
Shabalala died on 11 February at age 78.
Tembe said that Shabalala contributed immensely in promoting South African music around the world.
“I remember vividly meeting him in New York in 1988 whilst a student at the Juilliard School. He approached Linda Bukhosini and I and said that when we finish our studies, we should come back to South Africa to plough back and also promote Iscathamiya,” said Tembe.
“I am delighted that indeed when we came back, Linda established the first national Iscathamiya Festival in 1996 which still runs today with Mr Shabalala serving as adjudicator.”
“Joseph Shabalala also served as a board member of the Playhouse Company in Durban and also performed with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. His music and voice will live forever.”
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