Condolences on passing away of music legend Joseph Shabalala from Parliament’s Presiding Officers
Parliament’s Presiding Officers, led by Ms Thandi Modise and Mr Amos Masondo convey heartfelt condolences on the passing away of Joseph Shabalala, founding member of South Africa’s multi Grammy award-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
We find it particularly poignant that Mr Shabalala’s death comes today, when we are commemorating the 30th anniversary of the release from prison of former President Nelson Mandela.
We recall that this iconic group formed in 1964, the same year when Madiba and his fellow Rivonia treason trialists were sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island.
We share Madiba’s admiration for the group and its inspirational music. It was fitting that he called them “South Africa’s ambassadors of song”.
We appreciate his popularising and taking to the international stage the centuries-old isicathamiya and mbube music, and are confident that it will live on to continue bringing hope and joy to future generations.
Our thoughts are with Mr Shabalala’s wife, family and friends at this sad time.
Enquiries:
Moloto Mothapo
Cell: 082 370 6930
