The late Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder, Joseph Shabalala has been described as an outstanding musician, a peacemaker and an amazing man of song. The internationally acclaimed singer died last week in Pretoria after a long illness.
The Chairperson of the National Heritage Council, Thulani Mbuli has been paying tribute to him at a memorial service at the Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg.
“We come together today to celebrate the life of an outstanding musician, prophet, a lyric scientist, manager, educator, preacher and peacemaker. In his realm of culture, music, especially isicathamiya, Professor Shabalala served the country locally and internationally with distinction.”
Earlier this week, learners from the Joseph Shabalala Secondary School in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, called for Shabalala’s legacy to be included in next year’s school syllabus.
The school, which was named after the icon in 2016, held a memorial service for him on Tuesday morning.
Grade 12 learners Aphelihle Magasela and Ndabezinhle Zulu say unless his life and contributions to the country are taught to the younger generation, his legacy will disappear.
Watch Magasela and Zulu as they pay their tributes to Shabalala:
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 2 in honour of late Joseph Shabalala.
