Artists from different musical genres are expected to attend a memorial service in Ladysmith on Tuesday for the late founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Joseph Shabalala.
Shabalala passed away last week after a long illness. The funeral will take place on Saturday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 2 in honour of Shabalala.
Watch: Joseph Shabalala honoured with Special Official Funeral Category 2
Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s manager, Xolani Majozi, says the memorial service is being held in Shabalala’s hometown as a way of honouring him.
Majozi says they expect many people from all walks of life to attend.
“We urge all community members in Ladysmith and surrounding areas to come to the memorial service. We are also expecting provincial government representatives and busy with preparations for tomorrow’s memorial service. And it is very important because the memorial service is taking place at Joseph Shabalala’s hometown,” says Majozi.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo has won five Grammy awards and performed around the world, representing South African music positively.
In 2008, the world-renowned group received the National Order of Ikhamanga for placing South African cultural life on the global map through contribution to the field of South African indigenous music.
Watch: Joseph Shabalala remembered in the music industry
Legends never die they simply get immortalized. https://t.co/PbOPWTeqbg
— somadodafikeni (@somadodafikeni) February 16, 2020
