South Africa mourns the loss of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s Albert Mazibuko

Albert Mazibuko, a cherished member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, has passed away at the age of 77. Music lovers across the country are mourning the loss of Albert Mazibuko, a cornerstone of the world-renowned a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Mazibuko, 77, passed away on Easter Sunday, marking the end of an extraordinary 55-year journey with the multi-Grammy-winning ensemble.

Affectionately known as “the librarian” and a “cultural custodian,” Mazibuko was the longest-standing member of the group, having been recruited by the late founder Dr. Joseph Shabalala in 1969. Ladysmith Black Mambazo said Mazibuko was a cultural custodian “Albert Mazibuko dedicated over five decades of his life to music…

His voice and presence became a defining part of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s sound, contributing to a legacy that resonated across South Africa and the world,” the statement read. Born in Ladysmith, Embuzweni, Mazibuko was often referred to as Shabalala’s “right-hand man.” Following Shabalala’s retirement in 2014, Albert transitioned into the role of a wise elder and mentor for the younger generation of singers within the group. Beyond his vocal contributions, Mazibuko was the face of the group for the international press, never tiring of sharing the group’s core mission of “Peace, Love, and Harmony.”