Ladysmith Black Mambazo at Aquafest

We saw Ladysmith Black Mambazo in concert at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, and it was such a unique South African experience. We saw the group perform as a part of the Aqua Festival at the Waterfront. The Aqua Festival is a series of concerts in December and January on a stage on the water right there in the docks, behind the Two Oceans Aquarium. The audience sits on the land, in bleachers looking out at the performers and up at Table Mountain as it disappears into the darkness after sunset. Besides the stirring music, you hear the sea birds and the waves, and if you’re lucky like we were, you’ll hear the local seals camped out on the neighboring docks singing along to the music.

We were there to hear Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a music group that represents so much to South Africa, and that with their original sound and songs, made mere visitors feel a part of the history of their country. There are no instruments, other than the bass, alto & tenor voices of the small group of men. We had first heard them when they worked with Paul Simon on his Graceland album in the 1980s, although their history is much longer than that.

The group was lead by Professor Joseph Shabalala, who started the group more than 50 years ago. He still sounds wonderful, and the group of both old and new members are clearly keeping Prof. Shabalala’s music, dancing, and wonderful tradition alive and well.