Every musician, it seems, has a dream. The members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, one of the world’s most beloved groups, had one too.

      It’s just that, in the not that long ago "old" South Africa where racist apartheid ruled, they weren’t allowed to articulate it. "The dream we have been living was not allowed to be thought of by a black South African," says Albert Mazibuko, a veteran of the Grammy-winning vocal contingent whose artistry is in demand worldwide by fans of all ages, filmmakers, other musicians, government officials and royalty.

      "To leave South Africa and be treated like a person with rights, no, this was not allowed in the old South Africa. To succeed and be honored by people and organizations and countries never was allowed in the old South Africa. But it continues today, our dream, and we hope we are an example to our people and to other people around the world that you should never say, ‘I can’t do this dream.’" Mazibuko says.

      When he founded Ladysmith 45 years ago, Joseph Shabalala said he had a dream of creating music that might make South Africa—and the world in general—a better place. He wanted to see Ladysmith "bring this gospel of loving one another all over the world."

      All Ladysmith can hope for, Mazibuko added, is that they continue to spread a message of peace, love and harmony among people. "We see people care for each other more and more and we hope it continues," he says.

      Ladysmith Black Mambazo has helped provide the soundtrack toward that goal with the tight harmonies and intricate rhythms of their native musical tradition, built on a foundation of spiritual energy. Preservation of musical heritage, as much as entertainment, is the aim in the studio.

      They take part of their name from Shabalala’s rural hometown: Ladysmith. Black references oxen, the strongest of all farm animals. Mambazo is the Zulu word for axe, a symbol of the group’s ability to "chop down" any singing rival who might challenge them in vocal competitions in their country.

      The group borrows significantly from a traditional music called isicathamiya (is-cot-a-ME-Ya), which developed in the mines of South Africa, where black workers were taken by rail to work far from their homes and families. Poorly housed and even more poorly paid, the workers would entertain themselves after a six-day week by singing songs into the early hours of a Sunday morning. When the miners returned to the homelands, their musical tradition returned with them.

      Enter Paul Simon, in a visit to South Africa in the mid-1980s, who asked Ladysmith to contribute their rich tenor, alto and bass harmonies to his landmark Graceland album. It proved to be a turning point for the group. The record was considered seminal in introducing world music to mainstream audiences. A year later, Simon produced the group’s first U.S. release, Shaka Zulu, which won a Grammy in 1988 for best traditional folk album. Ladysmith has eight Grammy nominations to date.

      Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s music is about strength, taking strength from it to face challenges in life. "It’s strength in one’s self and in our fellow man: be strong and rise above what may be keeping you down or troubling you," Mazibuko says.

      The only role that such subjects as social injustice, racism and politics play in what they offer, he added, is as part of the collective struggle. "We are not political. This has never been our path," he insists. "Whether your struggle is social injustice or something else, we sing to give strength."

      A sampling can be found on Ladysmith’s 2006 CD, Long Walk To Freedom. It recognizes the 20th anniversary of their ascendancy to the world stage and the dawning of democracy in South Africa 12 years ago.

      The collection of a dozen new recordings of classic Mambazo songs features guest vocal performances from an array of contemporary artists, among them Melissa Etheridge, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Taj Mahal and Emmylou Harris.

      It is an honor, says Mazibuko, to have had so many artists and filmmakers want to work with them, and to be sought after to perform on special occasions, from the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela to a command performance for the Queen of England and the Royal Family in Royal Albert Hall in England, and a concert for the late Pope John Paul II in Rome. The group also has been invited to sing at two Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies and the 1996 Summer Olympics. A recent film documentary entitled On Tip Toe: Gentle Steps to Freedom, the story of Ladysmith Black Mambazo was nominated for an Academy Award.

      Ladysmith does not take it all for granted. "This is the dream we are living," he says. "As representatives of the South African people, we know when we are invited, they are inviting our people through us. This is an honor for us. An invitation to us is an invitation for all of South Africa."