The group represents the traditional culture of South Africa and is regarded as the country's cultural emissary. In 1993, at Nelson Mandela's request, Ladysmith Black Mambazo accompanied the future President to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway. Mambazo sang again at President Mandela's inauguration in May of 1994.

The traditional music sung by Ladysmith Black Mambazo is called ISICATHAMIYA (Is-Cot-A-Me-Ya), born in the mines of South Africa. The workers would entertain themselves, after a six-day week, by singing songs into the wee hours every Sunday morning. Brought to the international stage by Paul Simon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has flourished there ever since.

An Ovation Series selection

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