Joseph Shabalala, who created the world-famous South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, has died.

South Africa: President Declares Special Official Funeral for Mr Joseph Shabalala 

Photo: GovernmentZA/Flickr

16 FEBRUARY 2020
The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa (Pretoria)

PRESS RELEASE

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 2 in honour of Mr Joseph Shabalala, the late founder of choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Mr Shabalala, aged 78, passed away on 11 February 2020 following extended illness.

The Special Official Funeral Category 2 entails ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service. The funeral will take place on Saturday, 22 February 2020.

President Ramaphosa has ordered that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at every flag station in the country until the evening of 22 February 2020. Regulations require that no other flags should be displayed when the National Flag is flown at half-mast.

President Ramaphosa has reiterated his sincerest condolences to the Shabalala family, members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and members of the arts and culture fraternities in South Africa and globally with whom Ladysmith Black Mambazo has collaborated for the better part of six decades.

In 2008, this world-renowned and widely awarded choral group received the National Order of Ikhamanga for putting South African cultural life on the world map through contributing to the field of South African indigenous music.

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