The South African music scene is in mourning following the death of Albert Mazibuko, a key figure in the renowned choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
The group issued an emotional announcement on Facebook confirming 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,” the group shared.
Mazibuko’s association with Ladysmith Black Mambazo spans over fifty years, rendering him one of its most prominent figures.
<p He became a member in 1969 upon the invitation of its founder Joseph Shabalala, contributing significantly to its development.
“Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala asked Albert to join his singing group in 1969 and, for the next 55 years – that’s right, 55 years – Albert was a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. He was Joseph’s ‘right-hand man’,” the statement read.
Throughout the years, Mazibuko emerged as a foundational presence within the ensemble, particularly after Shabalala reduced his involvement in 2014.
His role extended beyond performance; he acted as a mentor to new members, ensuring the group’s traditions and ethos remained intact.
“Albert was a saint. He was kind to a fault. He loved travelling the world, spreading the mission and music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.”
The ensemble also recognized his enthusiasm for sharing their story, mentioning how he frequently represented them in various media interviews.
“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… He never said no to a chance to talk about Ladysmith Black Mambazo.”
From its modest beginnings in the 1960s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo evolved into an internationally celebrated act, with Mazibuko being a pivotal player in that transformation.
His contributions were instrumental in establishing the group’s reputation within isicathamiya music, achieving such success that they were eventually prohibited from competitions due to their dominance.
As tributes continue to emerge, the group announced that more information and celebrations of Mazibuko’s life will be forthcoming.
“We cannot express how broken our hearts are at this time,” they said, honoring a man they described as beautiful both inside and out.
