Ladysmith Black Mambazo bringing their famous African rhythms to Victoria
Published 3:30 pm Monday, March 2, 2026
It all began when Joseph Shabalala, the late founder of the South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, had a dream.
His grandmother came to him and told him to join forces with his cousin Albert Mazibuko and his brother to revive isicathamiya, the soulful musical genre born in the apartheid-era mines of South Africa.
The result was the birth of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a group that has now brought the soul of South African music to the world for more than six decades.
They’ll be bringing those incredible rhythms to Victoria in March, and it’s a show that should top this year’s list of must-see performances.
The group has changed membership over that time, of course, but the dream remains.
“Before, it was Joseph who was writing the songs and they were fantastic. But now we have four of Joseph’s sons in the group and they are writing music as well,” said Mazibuko, the only remaining member from the group’s founding days.
“Our music hasn’t really changed, but the message, of course, changes with time. We are always trying to reflect what is happening in our life and in the world. But the music… Joseph introduced this kind of singing to us and it’s something no one has ever done before. It’s the heritage of South Africa.”
In fact, the complex mix of melody and harmonies has captured the attention of the world, and that attention helped to catapult the group to stardom.
In 1986, Ladysmith Black Mambazo actually had only a small percentage of white fans in South Africa. Then, in 1987, Paul Simon included the group as an integral part of his Graceland Tour, and there was no looking back. In 1996, the group appeared on Dolly Parton’s album, Treasures, and since then have been featured on the track Lift Me Up, along with Norwegian duo Nico & Vinz, on David Guetta’s 2014 album Listen. Other features in 2016 include a vocal appearance on Facing a Task Unfinished by Keith and Kristyn Getty, Wake Up by Jennifer Saran, and Vian Izak’s single Brink of Love, and the list goes on.
In 2025, the group teamed up with artist, vocalist and cultural scholar Mbuso Khoza, as well as the celebrated jazz pianist and spiritual leader Nduduzo Makhathini on You Make Me Happy.
That record, described as a cultural landmark, united three iconic South African voices in a soul-stirring composition rooted in spirituality, heritage and emotional healing.
It reflects a deep reverence for African identity and musical storytelling and is an example of the group’s ability to change while remaining true to its roots.
“Change has always been there, but my father kept the group growing with his passion and his teachings,” said Sibongiseni Shabalala, son of the group’s founder.
The group has also released scores of solo albums, and their 2023 Soothe My Soul has been hailed as an iconic example of the best of world music.
Those albums had earned Ladysmith Black Mambazo a host of accolades, including five Grammy awards, including for Best World Music Album. But more importantly, they have realized the dream of telling the story of South Africa’s changing political landscape – from the time of racial segregation and imprisonment to the victories of the country’s still young democracy.
They’ve also managed to introduce the world to a remarkable genre of music – a treasure beyond anything Joseph Shabalala ever dreamt.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo will be appearing in Victoria at the Royal Theatre on March 8. Tickets and more information are available at www.rmts.bc.ca/production-detail-pages/2026-royal-theatre/ladysmith-black-mambazo.
