Members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo say the death of the founder of the group Joseph Shabalala will motivate them to pursue his values that of respect, unity and harmony.
The group landed at the King Shaka International Airport in Durban from the United States (US) on Thursday night after receiving the news of the death of Shabalala.
The group cancelled a number of concerts to attend Shabalala’s funeral, which will take place at the AG Magubane Stadium in Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
Senior member and co-founder of the group, Albert Mazibuko, says they will maintain the standard of Mambazo in honour of Shabalala.
“We are going to forward with Prof. Shabalala’s teachings and I am confident that his sons have everything from him. I know that we will continue with the struggle, his mission of love, peace and harmony because he taught us and he trained us and we know everything. We are not going to disappoint Shabalala and we will do that for many years to come,” says Mazibuko.
Watch: Joseph Shabalala remembered by members of music industry
Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s manager in the US, Mitch Goldstone, has arrived with the group.
Goldstone says South Africans must give the group the respect it deserves. He says the group told international audiences about the beauty of South Africa, especially their hometown Ladysmith.
“They should, they deserve it and they have been doing it for so many years. What they do travelling the world, talking about the good of South Africa, peace and loving and harmony and come visit the country and come visit the people. They have been doing this for 35 years. So I strongly believe South African people appreciate what they give out for South Africa,” says Goldstone.
Watch: Ladysmith Black Mambazo members speak at the airport
