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Black Mambazo jet off for US tour

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The legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo hope to add two more Grammys to their existing collection.  The Isicathamiya group jets off on Sunday for a three-month long United States tour, which coincides with the Grammy award ceremony scheduled for later in January.

The group visited its ailing founder and leader Joseph Shabalala at home in Ladysmith ahead of the trip.

They have been nominated in two categories for the 60th Grammy Awards, Best World Music Album and Best Children’s Album. The group is optimistic they will fly the South African flag high.

Senior group member Albert Mazibuko says they hope fans will come in their numbers to the airport when the group returns home with the awards.

“I have no doubt that Ladysmith Black Mambazo will bring those two Grammys home, so to witness that come to meet me at the airport when we come back because I will be holding the two of them.”

Member Sibongiseni Shabalala says, ”We are very happy and it is very important to us to get my father’s blessing because he is the one that started the group. Besides if you are going somewhere you need to get blessings from your parents.”

Meanwhile, plans are afoot to ensure that the Isicathamiya genre is preserved.  Alfred Duma Municipality Mayor Vincent Madlala says they are reading themselves for the Ladysmith Black Mambazo academy.

“The municipality has identified a site to build the Ladysmith Black Mambazo academy. We are prepared to join hands in building this school that will train the youth.”

Ladysmith Black Mambazo has won an enviable four Grammys over the years. The first in the African continent.

 

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