FOUR-time Grammy Award winners, Ladysmith Black Mambazo returned to their home province on Tuesday since leaving for Los Angeles in January.
After their most recent Grammy win – under the Best World Music Album category, for their record Singing for peace around the world – the group toured for nine weeks in the United States.
On arrival in KwaZulu-Natal today Ladysmith Black Mambazo received an official welcome at Durban’s City Hall where they presented all four of their Grammy’s to the eThekwini Municipality Executive Council.
Mayor James Nxumalo expressed his pride in the group, welcoming them home and congratulating them on yet another success.
After the formal gathering at City Hall Ladysmith Black Mambazo embarked on a street parade through Durban to thank the public supporting them in their musical journey over the past 54 years.
Group member, Albert Mazibuko, said they were at loss for words of gratitude: “… I remember before we left (for the Grammy’s) I said if we don’t come back with an award then the judges don’t know what they are doing. So this shows they do know what they are doing,” he joked.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo shared the award with The Gipsy Kings.
Meanwhile Amambazo: The Musical which was launched at Durban’s Playhouse last year, now makes its way to Pretoria for a season.
The musical, created by founder and leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Professor Joseph Shabalala, and written and directed by Edmund Mhlongo, will be staged at State Theatre from 17 of April to 11 May.
The musical – which pays homage to the group and their contribution, through music, to freedom in South Africa - will be staged as part of celebrating their fourth Grammy award.