Ladysmith Black Mambazo, renowned as South Africa’s cultural ambassadors, is set to captivate audiences once again with their soulful a cappella performances. With their rich history and inspiring journey from humble beginnings in apartheid South Africa to the global stage, the group continues to share messages of hope and unity. This year, they will grace venues in Canada and the United States, bringing their harmonious blend of powerful choruses and graceful choreography to music lovers worldwide.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo: The Global Voices of South Africa

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the world-renowned a cappella group, continues to captivate audiences with their powerful performances and inspiring story. Once endorsed by Nelson Mandela as South Africa's cultural ambassadors, the group will be gracing stages in St. Catharines, Oakville, and Nashville. With a history rooted in overcoming adversity, Ladysmith Black Mambazo shares not only their music but also their message of hope, unity, and cultural pride. Join us as we explore the group's journey and the upcoming events that will showcase their unique musical legacy.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Celebrating the Legacy of South Africa's Cultural Ambassadors

As they approach six decades of musical brilliance, Ladysmith Black Mambazo continues to enchant audiences worldwide with their unique vocal harmonies and cultural significance. From Bethesda to New York City and Nashville, their recent performances showcase a rich tapestry of traditional South African isicathamiya and mbube music. These events not only highlight the group’s unique artistic contributions but also serve as a reminder of their enduring legacy as South Africa’s cultural ambassadors.

Harmonies of Hope: Celebrating Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Global Impact

Ladysmith Black Mambazo continues to captivate audiences across the globe through a series of deeply moving performances. Rooted in the traditional isicathamiya and mbube vocal styles, the ensemble, known for its powerful harmonies and engaging stage presence, brings their message of peace and love to venues in North Bethesda, New York City, and Nashville. With a history spanning over 60 years, this group is not only a music powerhouse but also a cultural beacon, celebrated worldwide for their contributions to the arts.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Echoes of Harmony and Hope

For over half a century, South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo has been delighting audiences all over the world with their uplifting vocal harmonies, signature dance moves, and charming onstage banter. The four-time Grammy Award-winning ensemble came to global fame when they collaborated with Paul Simon on his 1986 smash hit Graceland, and never looked back. Nelson Mandela called the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world.”

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Ladysmith Black Mambazo presented by WMI

Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space

Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s signature sound is rooted in the intricate rhythms and harmonies of isicathamiya (pronounced is-cot-a-ME-ya) and mbube—traditional South African vocal styles. Founded in the early 1960s by visionary singer and activist Joseph Shabalala, the group has spent over 50 years captivating audiences worldwide with powerful a cappella performances, spreading messages of peace, hope, and love through melody and dance.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

The Music Center at Strathmore

Join the incomparable Ladysmith Black Mambazo for an unforgettable night of African traditional vocal music as they celebrate a 65-year history that changed the face of a capella! Born from the dream of Joseph Shabalala and now led by the next generation of the Shabalala family, this five-time GRAMMY® Award winning South African group has become a worldwide phenomenon. From their groundbreaking collaboration on Paul Simon’s Graceland to performing for Nelson Mandela, who referred to the group as “South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors to the World,” Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s traditional isicathamiya harmonies continue to mesmerize audiences and leave a lasting effect around the globe.

The Broad Stage

Let us tell you a story. An impossible to believe, yet, true story. Once upon a time there was a teenage boy working on his family farm in apartheid South Africa. This boy loved to sing, in fact he loved to sing so much that he allowed himself an impossible dream. In his dream he would create a group of singers, from his family members, to perform all over South Africa and become the greatest music group his country would ever know. How could such a dream come to a young farm boy in a country rife with hardship, violence and trouble?

Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts

It was Paul Simon’s 1986 Graceland album that introduced Ladysmith Black Mambazo to the world. The late former South African President Nelson Mandela designated the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world,” a title the members carry with them with the highest honour. In 2018 the group received not one, but two Grammy Award nominations for two separate albums, a first in the history of World Music.

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

For 60 years, South Africa’s five-time Grammy Award winners, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has warmed the hearts of audiences worldwide with uplifting vocal harmonies, signature dance moves and charming onstage banter. It was Paul Simon’s 1987 Graceland album that introduced Ladysmith Black Mambazo to the world. The late former South African President Nelson Mandela designated the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world,” a title the members carry with them with the highest honor. In 2018 the group received not one but two Grammy Award nominations for two separate albums, a first in the history of World Music. These two nominations brought their career total to 19 Grammy Award nominations. One of these albums, Shaka Zulu Revisited, won Best World Music Album. This was the group’s fifth Grammy Award win, the most for any World Music group. In 2019, Ladysmith Black Mambazo collaborated for the third time with the famed Steppenwolf Theatre Company on a production entitled Lindiwe and released an album with songs from the show.

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

Ladysmith Black Mambazo has performed for millions of people, singing a message of peace, love and harmony. With their 2024 release, Soothe My Soul… Songs From Our South African Church, the group puts their spin on gospel music.

Dakota

For 60 years, South Africa’s five-time Grammy Award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo has warmed the hearts of audiences worldwide with uplifting vocal harmonies, signature dance moves and charming onstage banter. It was Paul Simon’s 1987 Graceland album that introduced Ladysmith Black Mambazo to the world. The late former South African President Nelson Mandela designated the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world,” a title the members carry with them with the highest honor. Black Mambazo has performed for millions of people, singing a message of peace, love and harmony.

Pinnacle Presbyterian Church

Called by the late President Nelson Mandela “South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors to the World,” the all-male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo came to international prominence after singing with Paul Simon on his smash hit 1986 album Graceland. They have become internationally famous and have won multiple awards, including five GRAMMYs, and received more GRAMMY Award nominations (19) than any World Music group in the history of recorded music. More than 60 years after their creation, the current members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo continue to live out the group’s mission of bringing peace and harmony to the world through musical performance of the highest quality.

Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center

The voices of Ladysmith Black Mambazo have married the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music. The result is a musical and spiritual alchemy that has touched the hearts of millions of people.

Irvine Barclay Theatre

The five-time Grammy-winning choral group from South Africa honors the legacy of late founder Joseph Shabalala as they continue to perform worldwide. From brilliantly harmonized a cappella songs sung in Zulu to traditional English gospel songs such as "This Little Light" and "Amazing Grace," Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s spirited work soothes the soul and brings a smile.

Stanford University

Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s music is rooted in the intricate rhythms and harmonies of their native South African musical traditions. Their a cappella performances have touched audiences for over 50 years, earning them extensive praise around the world. 

For 60 years, South Africa’s five-time Grammy Award winners, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has warmed the hearts of audiences worldwide with uplifting vocal harmonies, signature dance moves and charming onstage banter. Paul Simon’s 1987 Graceland album introduced Ladysmith Black Mambazo to the world and late former South African President Nelson Mandela designated the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world,” a title the members carry with them with the highest honor.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo has performed for millions of people, singing a message of peace, love and harmony.

Meyerson Symphony Center

Ladysmith Black Mambazo have been bringing the vocal harmonies of South Africa to the world for 60 years. The choral group first came to international prominence via their appearance on Paul Simon’s Graceland in 1986, and in the years since they’ve become one of their country’s most prominent and celebrated cultural institutions—not to mention five-time Grammy winners. The message of peace, love, and harmony radiates through their collected voices with instantly recognizable warmth.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

For more than 60 years, South Africa’s five-time GRAMMY® Award winners, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, has warmed the hearts of audiences worldwide with uplifting vocal harmonies, signature dance moves, and charming onstage banter. It was Paul Simon’s 1987 Graceland album that introduced Ladysmith Black Mambazo to the world. The late former South African President Nelson Mandela designated the group “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world,” a title the members carry with them with the highest honor.
In 2018, the group received not one but two GRAMMY® nominations for two separate albums, a first in the history of World Music. These two nominations brought their career total to 19 GRAMMY® nominations. One of these albums, Shaka Zulu Revisited, won Best World Music Album. This was the group’s fifth GRAMMY® Award win, the most for any World Music group. In 2019, Ladysmith Black Mambazo collaborated for the third time with the famed Steppenwolf Theatre Company on a production entitled Lindiwe and released an album with songs from the show. The group has performed for millions of people, singing a message of peace, love and harmony.

Lobero Theatre

For 60 years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has sung powerful, uplifting songs that emote the struggles and passion of South Africa. Nelson Mandela called Ladysmith “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors.” The group sings a cappella in a joyously energetic performance that combines loud powerful choruses with softer, almost whispering chants where voices blend harmoniously alongside tightly choreographed dance moves.

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