Albert Mazibuko dead: Beloved 80s musician dies as heartbroken tributes pour in
A Grammy-winning musician is being remembered as bandmates shared their heartbreak.
The music world has been left in mourning after the death of a beloved 80s star — with tributes pouring in from fans and fellow musicians. South African singer Albert Mazibuko, a long-standing member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, has died at the age of 77 following a short illness. Mazibuko died on Sunday (April 5), with the news confirmed by his bandmates in an emotional statement the following day. They wrote: “It is with immense sadness that we tell you that our brother, Albert Mazibuko, has left us this Easter Sunday to be with his saviour in heaven.”
They added: “We will update you with further news, videos and pictures celebrating the life of Albert. We cannot express how broken our hearts are at this time.” Mazibuko had been a key figure in the Grammy-winning group for more than five decades, joining in 1969 after being invited by founder Joseph Shabalala — who was also his cousin. Over the years, he became a central part of the group’s identity, later described as Shabalala’s “right hand man”.
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Born Mdletshe Albert Mazibuko in Ladysmith, South Africa, in 1948, he left school at just eight years old to work on a farm before taking on a series of manual jobs, including time in an asbestos factory.
His life changed when he joined Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a group known for blending acappella harmonies with traditional Zulu music.
Within a year, the group had secured a recording contract — going on to release two albums in 1973, including Amabutho, which became the first gold-selling album in Africa.
Their international breakthrough came in 1986 through a collaboration with Paul Simon on the landmark album Graceland.
While the project sparked controversy at the time due to apartheid-era cultural boycotts, it propelled the group onto the global stage.
From there, Ladysmith Black Mambazo continued to achieve worldwide success, winning five Grammy Awards — most recently in 2018 — and featuring on the soundtrack to The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride.
Despite changes in the group’s line-up over the years, Mazibuko remained a constant presence, performing for 55 years and later becoming a mentor figure to younger members.
After Shabalala’s retirement in 2014 and death in 2020, he was described as a “wise elder” within the group.
Paying tribute, his bandmates said: “Albert was a saint. He was kind to a fault. He loved traveling the world, spreading the mission and music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.”
They added: “He never tired of talking about the group’s history and its desire to spread ‘Peace, Love and Harmony’ everywhere people had ears to listen.” Tributes have also come from across South Africa.
Politician Gayton McKenzie said: “More than a performer, he was the custodian of a uniquely South African sound that travelled across the world and united people through music.”
Mazibuko’s death comes as the group continues touring internationally, with current members performing across the United States in recent months.
