Joseph Shabalala facts for kids

Joseph Shabalala (born 28 August 1940, died 11 February 2020) was a famous South African singer and musician. He was the person who started and led the well-known singing group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Joseph Shabalala's Early Life and Music Journey

Joseph Shabalala was born in a town called Ladysmith in South Africa. He grew up on a farm with his parents, Jonathan and Nomandla Shabalala, and his six brothers and sisters.

When Joseph's father passed away in the late 1940s, Joseph, being the oldest, had to help take care of his family. In 1958, he left the farm to find work in the city of Durban.

While in Durban, Joseph was noticed by a popular group called the Durban Choir. People loved his smooth guitar playing and his high singing voice. He joined the choir and tried to teach them his new songs, like his first song "Nomathemba". But they didn't want to learn his new music, so he left after two years.

In 1958, Joseph found an isicathamiya group called The Highlanders. Isicathamiya is a special type of Zulu singing, usually done by men without instruments. Joseph's hero, Galiyane Hlatshwayo, led this group. Galiyane encouraged Joseph to use his voice with power.

The next year, in 1959, Joseph started his own group called Ezimnyama, which means "The Black Ones". A big change happened in December 1960 after he had some important dreams. He saw how well his group performed in the weekly isicathamiya competitions. Because they won almost every time, he renamed them Ladysmith Black Mambazo. "Mambazo" means "axe," showing how the group "chopped down" other choirs by winning so often.

After their songs were played on local radio, Joseph accepted a recording deal in 1972. This was offered by Gallo Music producer West Nkosi. Their first album, Imbongi, sold over 40,000 copies! They continued to be very successful with their music. In 1976, Joseph became a Christian. After this, many of the group's songs became Christian hymns sung in the Zulu language.

Becoming a Global Music Star

In 1986, the famous American musician Paul Simon came to South Africa. He wanted to work with South African artists for his new album, Graceland. Simon worked with Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Together, they created the well-known song, "Homeless".

This collaboration made the group famous all over the world. They sold so many records that they earned platinum awards! In 1987, the group won their first Grammy Award for their album Shaka Zulu. They have since won another Grammy and have been nominated many more times. After the huge success of Graceland, Joseph started writing more songs in English. Before this, they had only recorded a few songs in English and one in German.

Sadly, on 10 December 1991, Joseph's brother and fellow group member, Headman Shabalala, passed away. He died near Ladysmith. Joseph, with his strong beliefs, kept going, and the group continued to perform. New members joined, including his brother Jockey, close relatives Albert and Abednego Mazibuko, Russel Mthembu and Jabulani Dubazana, and his sons Sibongiseni, Thamsanqa, Thulani, and Msizi.

More sadness came in May 2002. Joseph's wife of 30 years, Nellie Shabalala, was shot and killed outside their home. Joseph was hurt trying to protect her.

Later Years and Legacy

The group's next album, Wenyukela, had a serious and thoughtful feel after Nellie's death. It included a special song from her grandsons, Gagamela and Babuyile Shabalala. This song encouraged their grandfather to keep going, promising him that the "S-H-A-B-A-L-A-L-A" name would live on.

Six months after Nellie's passing, Joseph Shabalala married Thoko Maduna. Joseph continued to sing and also started the Ladysmith Black Mambazo Foundation. This is a music school that teaches young South African children about isicathamiya music.

More sadness struck in June 2004 when his brother Ben Shabalala, who was also a former group member, passed away. In February 2006, his brother Jockey, who was Joseph's last remaining brother in the group, died of natural causes.

In January 2008, Joseph announced that his youngest son, Thamsanqa Shabalala, would become the leader of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. This would happen when Joseph decided to stop touring internationally. Joseph retired from touring in early 2014, but he still sang on special occasions.

Joseph Shabalala passed away on 11 February 2020 in Pretoria, South Africa. At the time of his death, he was 79 years old.

See also

• Ladysmith Black Mambazo Foundation
• Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens