Albert Mazibuko
Encyclopedia
Mdletshe Albert Mazibuko is a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
, a South Africa
n choral group founded in 1960 - and still led - by his cousin Joseph
.
Albert was born in Ladysmith
, South Africa, and was the eldest of six sons; the others being Milton, Funokwakhe, Mehlo, Abednego
, and Joseph Mazibuko. He grew up on a farm. Although his father believed in the importance of education it was necessary for Albert to leave school early and he worked fulltime on the farm between the ages of eight and fifteen. He worked as a manual labourer in a number of jobs including working in an asbestos-making factory prior to joining Mambazo. Albert joined Mambazo in 1969 as a tenor voice, with his brother Milton as an alto voice. Aside from Joseph Shabalala
, Albert is the only original member left in the group and has seen many changes; whereas the early line-ups were formed of a few Shabalalas and two Mazibukos, the group largely included members unrelated to Joseph.
After the killing of his brother Milton in 1980 (by which time his brothers Funokwakhe and Joseph Mazibuko had retired, whilst his youngest brother Abednego had joined), Albert remained in the line-up and has been a full-time member of the group since 1973.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...
, a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n choral group founded in 1960 - and still led - by his cousin Joseph
Joseph Shabalala
Joseph Shabalala , born Bhekizizwe Joseph Siphatimandla Mxoveni Mshengu Bigboy Shabalala, is the founder and musical director of the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.-Early life and career:...
.
Albert was born in Ladysmith
Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal
Ladysmith is a city in the Uthukela District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is north-west of Durban and south of Johannesburg. Important industries in the area include food processing, textile and tyre production...
, South Africa, and was the eldest of six sons; the others being Milton, Funokwakhe, Mehlo, Abednego
Abednego Mazibuko
Mpindela Abednego Mazibuko is a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African choral group founded in 1960 - and still led - by his cousin Joseph....
, and Joseph Mazibuko. He grew up on a farm. Although his father believed in the importance of education it was necessary for Albert to leave school early and he worked fulltime on the farm between the ages of eight and fifteen. He worked as a manual labourer in a number of jobs including working in an asbestos-making factory prior to joining Mambazo. Albert joined Mambazo in 1969 as a tenor voice, with his brother Milton as an alto voice. Aside from Joseph Shabalala
Joseph Shabalala
Joseph Shabalala , born Bhekizizwe Joseph Siphatimandla Mxoveni Mshengu Bigboy Shabalala, is the founder and musical director of the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.-Early life and career:...
, Albert is the only original member left in the group and has seen many changes; whereas the early line-ups were formed of a few Shabalalas and two Mazibukos, the group largely included members unrelated to Joseph.
After the killing of his brother Milton in 1980 (by which time his brothers Funokwakhe and Joseph Mazibuko had retired, whilst his youngest brother Abednego had joined), Albert remained in the line-up and has been a full-time member of the group since 1973.