The five-time Grammy Award winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who have existed for over six decades, will perform on Friday November 17 and Saturday November 18 at the Artscape theatre.
The band began their SA Legacy Tour in May at The Joburg Theatre. After October shows at The Durban Playhouse, they are now bringing their isicathamiya sounds to Cape Town.
“It has been four years since we performed in Cape Town,” says group member Sibongiseni Shabalala. “We always have packed theatres and a diverse crowd there, so we are looking forward to returning.”
Four years ago, Ladysmith Black Mambazo launched The Ladysmith Black Mambazo Mobile Academy, where they discover and develop young aspiring groups who sing isicathamiya and indigenous music. Through this programme, which is supported by the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, some of the groups now share the stage with Ladysmith Black Mambazo at international shows and on this SA Legacy Tour.
“At the Artscape, the audience will experience the talent of artists discovered by The Mambazo Mobile Academy: Abantakwethu from Gugulethu and Meduduetsane Basadi from Kimberley in the Northern Cape,” says Shabalala.
“Ladysmith Black Mambazo aims to grow this programme and expand it to all nine provinces in the country. The show will showcase a world-class performance by us and the newly discovered artists will perform too, with the aim of inspiring young artists to love, and preserve culture and heritage through music.”
Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s oldest member Albert Mazibuko has been in the group since it was started by the late Joseph Shabalala.
“Ladysmith Black Mambazo has embarked on this national tour celebrating our journey in the music industry and thanking South Africans for the love and support they have shown us.” says Mazibuko.
“The South African tour aims to reconnect with local audiences and also celebrate the legacy of the group since it was established.”
“Performing at home is very special because the social issues of South Africa inspired the music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo during the dark days of Apartheid till now. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a mirror of South African Society,” says Mazibuko.
“The founder of the group, Professor Joseph Shabalala, was a storyteller, and he used music to share his life’s personal experience. Singing in front of South African audiences is like the completion of the lifecycle of the musical journey,” remembers Shabalala of his father.
He says Cape Town fans should look forward to Mambazo classics and new songs. “Expect our signature five-star performance,” he says.
Tickets cost R250 through Webtickets.
