Joseph Shabalala

Joseph Shabalala (1941-2020) [1]. was a singer, musician, composer and performer.

Born in the Ladysmith district in Natal, he brought together and became the leader and founder of the ten-man vocal group Ezimnyama ("The Black Ones"), made up of family members and friends. They became known for their 1970s hit record "Amabutho".

The group later changed the name to Ladysmith Black Mambazo and would most famously work with Paul Simon on his Graceland tour and record. This made them a household name and ultimately world famous. The musical style they developed, permeated the popular performance in the 1990s and later, also stage plays and musicals.

Shabalala's song "Nomathemba", was turned into a play called Nomathemba and performed in the USA in 1995.

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