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Entertainment of Tuesday, 11 February 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Legendary Zulu musician, Joseph Shabalala, passes away

Jospeh Shabalala of the Ladysmith Black Mambazo Jospeh Shabalala of the Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Joseph Shabalala, known with the popular Zulu band - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, has died at the age of 78, on Tuesday in a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.

Traditional Zulu music became known to the world through Shabalala's efforts and he was best known as the founder and director of choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which won five Grammy awards and featured heavily on Paul Simon's Graceland album.

They also reached number 15 in the UK charts with a cover of Swing Low Sweet Chariot, for the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

The band's leader, Xolani Majozi, confirmed the death of Shabalala to the South Africa Times. he said, "Yes it's true. Mr. Shabalala passed on this morning."

"The group is on tour in the US, but they have been informed and are devastated because the group is family."

In a statement, the band said: "We celebrate and honour your kind heart and your extraordinary life. Through your music and the millions who you came in contact with, you shall live forever."