President Cyril Ramaphosa says Shabalala was a musical genius and a prolific composer.
Artist Mbongeni Ngema says Ladysmith Black Mambazo was able to collaborate with global artists during the difficult times of the cultural boycott of South Africa. The grouph has received 5 Grammy Awards and rose to international stardom when they worked with Paul Simon on the album Graceland in 1986.“I negotiated with Jonny Makhatini at the ANC office to speak to Tambo for Mambazo not to be stopped by cultural boycott from going to America. That’s how the group was able to work with Paul Simon. I’m glad I was able to contribute towards the group,” says Ngema.
Speaking on behalf of the federation, Joy Mbewana says Shabalala was one of the few artists in South Africa who had managed to sustain his life. “Shabalala is one of the artists in South Africa who was able to sustain his life. Most of our artists die as paupers, which means there’s still a lot that we need to do as the creative industry have a huge role to play in what is happening in our country. From Shabalala we should learn that unity and doing things together can take us forward. Ladysmith Black Mambazo has left a legacy in the whole of South Africa, it has represented us and has shown the importance of art,” says Mbewana.