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PRESS STATEMENT
9 February 2009
DR Z PALLO JORDAN CONGRATULATES
LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO FOR WINNING THEIR THIRD GRAMMY FOR BEST TRADITIONAL WORLD MUSIC CATEGORY
For the third time in eleven years, the internationally acclaimed Ladysmith Black Mambazo have made the nation and people of the African continent proud.
We were very pleased to learn that, once again, the renowned accapela group’s latest offering, ‘Ilembe – Honoring Shaka Zulu,’ has won yet another Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album.
Significantly, this is their third Grammy Award after they won the first with their debut album, ‘Shaka Zulu’ in the United States in 1987 for Best Traditional Folk Recording.
This was followed by their second for ‘Raise Your Spirit Higher’ which was awarded the Best Traditional Music World Music Recording in 2005.
In the last dozen years, Ladysmith Black Mambazo have been nominated eleven times for a Grammy Award!
This latest achievement not only confirms their status as pre-eminent South African Cultural Ambassadors but is a well deserved honour for taking traditional music and culture to the greatest heights.
This achievement affirms that South African talent is of world class.
The brand of music Black Mambazo performs was conceived in the oppressive and exploitative mines of South Africa but the musicians have refashioned it to tell a universal story of resilience and perseverance.
In Ilembe they pay tribute to a historic icon, King Shaka, for his nation-building efforts. This album speaks to the core themes inherent in the Government’s Programme of Action for Social Cohesion by highlighting and celebrating the benefits of reconciliation, unity and nurturing of a new identity.
Social Cohesion is in part the secret of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s success. The group, comprise of siblings, relatives and close friends who derive their strength and power from working together for the same goal.
They are indeed, one of the few groups that have crossed over into the 21st Century while remaining intact, disciplined and united.
The continued success of this group is a resounding statement of encouragement and affirmation that our artists should take their destiny into their own hands.
The Grammy is a coveted prize in international music competition. But the Mambazo, especially, deserve it more because their style, lyrical content and reach is rooted in indigenous music and culture of the marginalized.
This makes them a special group that reveals the potential of the local to become cosmopolitan and universal in globalized world.
It is a momentous achievement that isichathamiya, not only nourished the soul of African people during hard times but resonates in the hearts and souls of the people of Mother Earth.
It remains the mandate of the Department of Arts & Culture to create international and economic opportunities for artists to not only earn a living through their art, but to express their talent. Ladysmith Black Mambazo makes us believe that, artists can make things happen for themselves.
Halala, Mambazo, halala!!!
End.
For further details call: Sandile Memela, Spokesman for the Minister of Arts & Culture at 082 800 3750 or Premi Appalraju, Media Liaison Officer at 0823752939.
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