The global music community is mourning the loss of a legendary voice, as Albert Mazibuko—longtime member of the iconic South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo—has died at the age of 77.

Mazibuko passed away with the news confirmed by his bandmates in an emotional statement. No official cause of death has been publicly disclosed.

Known affectionately as the group’s “wise elder,” Mazibuko was a central figure in Ladysmith Black Mambazo for more than five decades. He joined the group in 1969, invited by his cousin and founder Joseph Shabalala, and remained one of its most enduring and respected members.

Throughout his career, Mazibuko helped shape the group’s signature sound—blending traditional Zulu isicathamiya harmonies with powerful messages of peace, unity, and hope.

The group rose to international fame in the 1980s after collaborating with Paul Simon on the landmark album Graceland, bringing South African vocal music to a global audience.

During the apartheid era, Mazibuko and his bandmates used their music as a form of cultural resistance, offering inspiration to audiences both in South Africa and around the world. He later reflected on the hardships of that time, including strict laws that controlled movement and daily life.

After Shabalala’s retirement in 2014, Mazibuko took on a guiding role within the group, mentoring younger members and continuing to represent the band in interviews and public appearances.

Tributes have poured in from across the globe, with fans and fellow musicians remembering him as a kind, humble, and deeply passionate artist whose voice carried a message far beyond music.

Mazibuko is survived by his wife, Lillian, and their four children.

His passing marks the end of an era for Ladysmith Black Mambazo and for generations of fans who found comfort, inspiration, and unity in his music.