LISTEN: 'Our music is our heritage': Ladysmith Black Mambazo muso
This week Newswatch spoke with SA's golden boy Chad Le Clos, and former eThekwini speaker and Durban socialite Logie Naidoo, about what the term 'heritage' means to them. In our third celeb feature ahead of Heritage Day on September 24, we caught-up with Albert Mazibuko - one of the original members of Grammy award-winning choral group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Mazibuko first joined the internationally-acclaimed KZN-based music group in 1969 as a tenor, along with his brother Milton who was an alto.
Almost five decades later, Albert - aside from founder Joseph Shabalala - remains the only other original member left in the group, which has seen as many changes over the years as they have amassed international accolades.
The group first earned acclaim in 1986, when they featured on musician Paul Simon's 'Graceland' album. And ever since, Ladysmith Black Mambazo have been flying the SA music flag high - remaining true to their African musical roots and heritage.
We just heard that yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the release of the "Graceland" album that helped launch... https://t.co/BXnpJG5R8m
— Ladysmith Black Mamb (@therealmambazo) August 26, 2016
At 67-years-old, Mazibuko says the message the group has always tried to portray through their music is that of love, peace and harmony.
It's this reason he believes Ladysmith Black Mambazo has such universal appeal.
Reflecting back on his favourite Heritage Day memories, Mazibuko says performing as a group for thousands at various celebrations to commemorate the day - and seeing the joy on people's faces - tops that list.
"There wont be an upset or stressed face in the crowd - just for those moments, everyone is one," he reminisces.
He says it brings him great happiness to be able to teach people about his own proud Zulu culture, through his music and experiences.
LISTEN: Albert Mazibuko sings a snippet of one of his favourite songs - written by Joseph Tshabalala.
