The African Concert
Paul Simon & Ladysmith Black Mambazo · The original Graceland tour
Watch on YouTube ↗Ladysmith Black Mambazo · The story
A JOURNEY
IN HARMONY
From South Africa to the world.
A lifetime of extraordinary encounters.
The voices came first
A sound.
A community.
A world of possibility.
Before the world tours and the famous collaborations, there were voices finding their place together. Joseph Shabalala shaped them into one of South Africa’s most distinctive musical ensembles.
Founded in the early 1960s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo grew from the tradition of isicathamiya: intricate, gently stepping choral music shaped by migrant workers singing far from home. The group became celebrated in South Africa long before their international breakthrough.
Their story would lead to recording studios, royal celebrations and historic moments of freedom. Through it all, the heart of the music remained the same: the closeness of voices and the connection between people.
1986 · An encounter that travelled the world
Paul Simon.
Graceland.
A lasting connection.
On Graceland, Mambazo’s harmonies became part of the sound of a generation. Joseph Shabalala co-wrote “Homeless” with Paul Simon; the ensemble also sang on “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”.
Simon went on to produce Mambazo’s album Shaka Zulu. In 1988, it brought the group their first GRAMMY Award.
Recorded during apartheid, Graceland also prompted debate about the cultural boycott of South Africa. Its musical legacy includes the international platform shared by Mambazo, Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba on the original tour.
One song · Twenty-five years apart
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes
Two performances, both from Paul Simon’s official video channel.
1987
2012
The Concert in Hyde Park
Paul Simon & Ladysmith Black Mambazo · The Graceland reunion
Watch on YouTube ↗The original tour brought Mambazo together with Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. At Hyde Park in 2012, Mambazo and Masekela reunited with Simon — a return to music that had continued to travel across generations.
1993–1994 · Music and freedom
At Nelson
Mandela’s side.
Some performances become part of a country’s history.
In 1993, Ladysmith Black Mambazo accompanied Nelson Mandela to Oslo for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. The following year, they performed at his presidential inauguration in South Africa.
These moments gave a wider resonance to the peace and hope carried in their music. Their relationship with Mandela endured; the group later dedicated their fifth GRAMMY Award to him.
Unexpected meetings
Another voice.
A new conversation.
Country, pop, film and children’s television: Mambazo’s sound finds a home in many different worlds.
Dolly Parton · 1996
Peace Train
Dolly Parton invited Mambazo to join her on “Peace Train”, the Cat Stevens song opening her album Treasures. A meeting of country warmth and South African harmony.
Explore Dolly’s album ↗Michael Jackson · Film
Moonwalker
The group also appeared in Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker, bringing their voices into another corner of global pop culture.
An Oscar-nominated story · 2001
On Tiptoe
The documentary On Tiptoe: Gentle Steps to Freedom tells Mambazo’s story. It received an Academy Award nomination for Documentary Short Subject in 2001.
African Alphabet with Kermit
Sesame Street · Featuring the voices of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Watch on YouTube ↗A little joy
Harmony, from A to Z.
Even the alphabet becomes a musical encounter. Mambazo’s voices join Kermit and the Muppets in this much-loved Sesame Street song.
Videos load from YouTube only when you press play.
Extraordinary stages
From a palace
to a cathedral.
In 2002, Mambazo took part in Party at the Palace, the concert in the gardens of Buckingham Palace celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee.
On 24 June 2004, they performed at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. The concert lives on in a recording available through the group’s own archive.
Discover the St Paul’s recording ↗A remarkable recording career
Five GRAMMY Awards.
Thirty years of recognition.
- 1988
Shaka Zulu
- 2005
Raise Your Spirit Higher
- 2009
Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu
- 2014
Live: Singing for Peace Around the World
- 2018
Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration
The journey continues · Live in 2027
A living tradition.
A new evening together.
Today, a new generation carries Joseph Shabalala’s legacy forward. Under South African Skies celebrates the group’s own musical journey and songs from Graceland, with special guests Qadasi & Maqhinga.
Explore Under South African Skies ↗European booking · 2027
Under South African Skies
Europe, excluding the UK
Ask about dates, routing and production
with special guests Qadasi & Maqhinga.