Ladysmith Black Mambazo win a Grammy

Updated: 2 Mar 2020

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, with lead vocalist Joseph Tshabalala, became the first South African group to win a Grammy award. The group won the award for the best traditional folk album. The album 'Shaka Zulu' was produced by music icon Paul Simon. Simon was captivated by their music and helped the group conquer the international music scene. The group has since been nominated for six additional Grammy awards, including a nomination in 2001 for the album 'Live From Royal Albert Hall'. It was a befitting honour for this outstanding group that has sold over 6 million copies in South Africa and internationally. Ladysmith Black Mambazo has performed before kings and queens; the Pope; at the Summer Olympics; at two Nobel Prize ceremonies; and at countless other venues over the years.

How we know this

01South Africa.Info Grammy for Black Mambazo [online] Available at: www.southafrica.info [Accessedon 25 March 2013]
02Ladysmith Black Mambazo Profile [online] Available at: www.mambazo.com [Accessed on 25 March 2013]

Last updated · 2 Mar 2020

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Ladysmith Black Mambazo win a Grammy. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012693

South African History Online (2011) 'Ladysmith Black Mambazo win a Grammy', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012693 (Accessed: 15 October 2026).

South African History Online, Ladysmith Black Mambazo win a Grammy [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012693, (accessed 15 October 2026).

"Ladysmith Black Mambazo win a Grammy." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012693. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Ladysmith Black Mambazo win a Grammy." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0012693.