The world-renowned South African group scooped three awards on Saturday, dedicating them all to late co-founders Joseph and Albert.
Durban, South Africa (29 April 2026) – It was a night that moved hearts as much as it celebrated greatness. Ladysmith Black Mambazo took home three awards at the Metro FM Music Awards this year, and they dedicated each to the late founders who built their world-renowned legacy.
The five-time Grammy Award-winning ensemble had an extraordinary evening at the MMA26 ceremony, held at the Durban ICC. The internationally acclaimed South African group walked away with Best Collaboration, Best Afro Pop, and the coveted Global Icon award.
The ensemble dedicated their newfound awards to founder Dr Joseph Shabalala, and to Albert Mazibuko, the beloved co-founder who was laid to rest just days before the ceremony, after passing away on Easter Sunday at the age of 77.
To win so soon after saying goodbye to a brother of more than five decades, and to stand on that stage with grace and gratitude, is the essence of who Ladysmith Black Mambazo are. They have always turned grief into harmony and hardship into song. That is the tradition Albert himself lived and breathed.
“Albert LOVED singing for fans of the group. He LOVED sharing his love of the music from his homeland, South Africa. He was a very proud South African and he loved his country and its people. He loved its culture and the musical history he was part of.” says the group’s manager, Mitch Goldstein.
It is, as it has always been with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a story of unity.
“To have peace, we need peace inside us. To have peace inside us, we need to have each other.” Albert once said.
In that spirit, these three awards belong a brotherhood and their mission that has never wavered – to spread peace, love, and harmony wherever there are ears to listen.
“[Albert] understood how special all of this was.” adds Goldstein. “A small singing group from a South African township, now traveling the world year after year, singing of Peace and Love. Five Time Grammy Award winners. The Grammys used to give music groups one Grammy Award to share. At some point they changed that and each member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo would receive their own Grammy Award with their name on it. I remember the first time I handed Albert HIS Grammy Award. He was so overcome with emotion and joy.”
Dr. Joseph Shabalala and Albert Mazibuko poured their lives into this group. Fifty-five years with a message that never changed. Peace, love, and harmony, carried to every corner of the world. On Saturday, Ladysmith Black Mambazo made sure they were in that room too. What a beautiful thing!
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