Ottawa 
Events Description
“South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors to the World.” – Nelson Mandela
The year 2025 marks the 65th anniversary of Joseph Shabalala forming Ladysmith Black Mambazo. His group has not only conquered all of South Africa, but became a worldwide phenomenon, winning multiple GRAMMY Awards, and receiving more GRAMMY Award nominations than any world music group in the history of recorded music.
During the dark years of South African Apartheid, Ladysmith Black Mambazo followed a path of peaceful protest through songs of hope and love. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison, in 1990, he said that Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s music was a powerful message of peace that he listened to while in jail. When Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1993, he asked the group to join him at the ceremony. It was Mandela who called Ladysmith Black Mambazo “South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors to the World.”
In the mid-1980s, American singer/songwriter Paul Simon famously visited South Africa and incorporated the group’s rich harmonies into his renowned Graceland album – a landmark recording considered seminal in introducing World Music to mainstream audiences. This brought the group to the attention of music lovers all over the world, the beginning of a global musical career that shows no sign of ending.
The group sings a traditional music style called isicathamiya (Is-Cot-A-Mee-Ya), which developed in the mines of South Africa. It was there that black workers were taken to work far away from their homes and families. Poorly housed and paid, the mine workers would entertain themselves, after a six-day work week, by singing songs into the wee hours on Saturday night and Sunday. When the miners returned to their homes, this musical tradition returned with them.
Join them for a night of powerful messaging of peace and love!
“It isn’t merely the grace and power of their dancing or the beauty of their [Ladysmith Black Mambazo] singing that rivets the attention, but the sheer joy and love that emanates from their being.” – Paul Simon
“Undulating rhythmic phrases that push and pull … harmonizing that is both ethereal and earthy.” – World Music, UK
Who is it for?
All ages
HOW MUCH
Tickets : $47.00 – $53.00
Ticket Price: $47.00 – $53.00
How to get tickets?
Phone: 613-580-2700 Toll Free: 1-866-752-5231
Email: meridiancentrepointe@ottawa.ca
WHEN & WHERE
Date: Saturday March 29, 2025 | 8:00 PM
Venue & Address
Meridian @ Centrepointe – Mainstage, 101 Centrepointe Drive, K2G 5K7 Ottawa (Nepean), Ontario, Canada
Wheelchair accessible
Free Parking
Accessible by Public Transport
