Albert Mazibuko

Who is Albert Mazibuko?

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.

Albert was born in Ladysmith, South Africa, and was the eldest of six sons; the others being Milton, Funokwakhe, Mehlo, Abednego, and Joseph Mazibuko. He grew up on a farm. Although his father believed in the importance of education it was necessary for Albert to leave school early and he worked full-time on the farm between the ages of eight and fifteen. He worked as a manual labourer in a number of jobs including working in an asbestos-making factory prior to joining Mambazo. Albert joined Mambazo in 1969 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, Albert remained in the line-up and has been a full-time member of the group since 1973.