Albert Mazibuko
Albert Mazibuko | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 1, 1948 |
| Years active | 1969–present |
Mdletshe Albert Mazibuko is a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African choral group founded in 1960 - and still led - by his cousin Joseph.[1]
Albert was born in Ladysmith, South Africa, and was the eldest of six sons; the others being Milton, Funokwakhe, Mehlo, Abednego, and Joseph Mazibuko[citation needed]. He grew up on a farm.[2] Although his father believed in the importance of education[3] it was necessary for Albert to leave school early and he worked full-time on the farm between the ages of eight[2] and fifteen.[3] He worked as a manual labourer in a number of jobs[3] including working in an asbestos-making factory[1] prior to joining Mambazo. Albert joined Mambazo in 1969[4] as a tenor voice, with his brother Milton as an alto voice. Aside from Joseph Shabalala, Albert is the only original member left in the group and has seen many changes; whereas the early line-ups were formed of a few Shabalalas and two Mazibukos, the group largely included members unrelated to Joseph.
After the killing of his brother Milton in 1980[citation needed] (by which time his brothers Funokwakhe and Joseph Mazibuko had retired, whilst his youngest brother Abednego had joined), Albert remained in the line-up and has been a full-time member of the group since 1973.
References
- ^ a b Unknown (19 February 2010). "50 And Still Flourishing, Ladysmith Black Mambazo keeps living musical dream". NWAOnline. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ a b Craig Mathieson (26 June 2009). "Ladysmith Black Mambazo". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ a b c Victoria Williams (24 July 2009). "Singer finds great success in a cappella group". nj.com. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
- ^ John Soeder (24 February 2010). "Nearly 25 years after 'Graceland,' Ladysmith Black Mambazo is still going strong". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 12 January 2011.