Albert Mazibuko, a longtime member of the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, has died at the age of 77. His passing was confirmed on Easter Sunday by the group in a statement shared on Facebook, noting that he had gone “to be with his saviour in heaven.”
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Mazibuko joined Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 1969 at the invitation of his cousin, founder Joseph Shabalala. Over the next 55 years, he remained an integral part of the ensemble, earning recognition as Shabalala’s “right-hand man” and later serving as a guiding elder for younger members after Shabalala retired in 2014.
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The group described Mazibuko as “kind to a fault” and “a saint,” highlighting his dedication to sharing the band’s mission of “peace, love and harmony” across the globe. They emphasized that he frequently spoke with the media about the ensemble’s history and contributions, never declining an opportunity to promote their music. “Albert became the main interviewee for members of the press who wanted to speak with the group. He never said no to a chance to talk about Ladysmith Black Mambazo,” the statement stated.
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Born in uMnambithi, formerly known as Ladysmith, Mazibuko left school early to work on a farm. He experienced the restrictions of apartheid firsthand, recalling the need to carry identification documents to avoid arrest and describing the period as “very harsh to us.”
Ladysmith Black Mambazo achieved international acclaim by blending indigenous Zulu songs and dances with the isicathamiya acapella tradition. The group’s global recognition was cemented through collaborations with Paul Simon on the 1986 album Graceland and the release of Africa’s first gold-selling album, Amabutho, in 1973. Over his tenure, Mazibuko helped the group earn multiple Grammy Awards and perform worldwide, leaving a lasting legacy in South African music.
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