Joseph Shabalala
Joseph Shabalala (1941-2020) [1]. was a singer, musician, composer, choreographer and performer.
Contents
Biography
Born in the Ladysmith district in Natal,
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
In the 1970s he brought together and became the leader of the 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.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
Their music and the musical style they developed, permeated the popular performance in the 1990s and later, also utilized in a number of stage plays and musicals.
Shabalala's song "Nomathemba", was turned into a play called Nomathemba by Steppenwolf Theater Company, Chicago, and performed in the USA in 1995. Shabalala, credited as one of the authors alongside , was also the choreographer. He and Ladysmith Black Mambazo performed in the production, winning .
Sources
Go to the ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to ESAT Personalities S
Return to South African Theatre Personalities
Return to Main Page
