Two new members have been added to Ladysmith Black Mambazo's 36-city tour in the US “because they have the energy to jump”.
The tour marks the group's 65th anniversary.
For the first time, Albert Mazibuko, 79, who has been part of the group since its inception in 1960, has not joined the tour, due to his age and health.
In his place the group has added two new members — Babuyile and Gagamela Shabalala, the grandsons of founder Joseph Shabalala.
“Our older member Albert decided he wanted to retire from long international tours and will only be with us when we are performing in South Africa so we decided to add two more members,” Joseph’s son Sibongiseni told Sunday Times.
“Because they are in their late 30s they can take over when we decide to retire. They will have enough knowledge to carry on and teach other guys. Having young guys helps the group. It revives the group. It gives the older guys more energy. They have the energy to jump. It's a way of making sure the group is surviving. We don't want the group to end with us.”
The group landed in the US on Tuesday. Their first performance was on Friday in Manchester, New Hampshire, and the final show will be in Savannah, Georgia on April 5.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's music is deeply rooted in traditional Zulu culture and the group has been instrumental in promoting indigenous music globally. Their unique sound, characterised by signature African harmonies, has drawn collaboration from global stars and won five Grammys.
They attribute their success to founder Joseph Shabalala “for his resilience and dedication in nurturing talent and taking this sound to the greatest heights”.
“Winning the Grammy is still a big deal and is one of our biggest highlights,” Sibongiseni said. “Since my father retired in 2014, before he passed away, we’ve recorded new music, and won two more Grammys to make it five.”
Despite rumours of drama and infighting within the group, Sibongiseni says they are united.
“People are expecting that because my father is gone there will be fights. There's nobody in the family fighting about the will. We are waiting for it to be finalised but we are not fighting over the will.
“The group is sticking together. We are working together as a family. Everything is fine. The teaching that my father taught us while he was still with us ... helped us a lot. We always refer to what my father would do under the guidance of Albert Mazibuko, who was there when the group started. It has helped us to stay together and resolve whatever comes our way, whether good or bad. Prayer is one thing my father taught us.”
The group members are focused on their mission to leave a legacy for indigenous music.
“We want to be remembered as people who stood for African music and culture and were able to promote it all over the world. We started the Ladysmith Black Mambazo Mobile Academy where we went around the country and found new artists that are doing indigenous music ... to encourage them. The hope of my father was to start an academy where the indigenous music of South Africa will be kept and taught to the young generation.
“Our main focus now is to make our father's dream come true by establishing the indigenous academy in Ladysmith, KZN.”
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