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Ladysmith Black Mambazo will not cancel US tour: 'This is the last thing Joseph would want his group to do'

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Joseph Shabalala. (PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES/GALLO IMAGES)
Joseph Shabalala. (PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES/GALLO IMAGES)

The isicathamiya band Ladysmith Black Mambazo who is currently touring America released a statement informing their fans that the passing of their founder, Joseph Shabalala, won’t affect their shows.

"It has been INCORRECTLY reported that we are cancelling our current USA concert tour as well as other possible tours later this year [sic]," they confirmed in a statement posted on their Facebook page.

The multi-award-winning group says if they were to cancel their US tour Joseph, who passed away at Life Eugene Marais Hospital on Tuesday, would not approve.

"We are not cancelling our concert tours. We will continue to celebrate the life of our father, Joseph Shabalala, as we have done since he retired in 2014," read the statement.

READ MORE: Joseph Shabalala's son Thamsanqa on his dad's legacy: 'He has left some big shoes to fill but we are determined to fill them'

Details about his cause of death are still sketchy, however the group's manager, Xolani Majozi, told Channel24 that the 78-year-old was suffering from complications from a back surgery in 2012 that left him wheelchair bound.

The group thanked everyone for the love and support during this time.

"THANK YOU ALL for your kind and beautiful words of love sent our way today, a very difficult day. Our father and leader, Joseph Shabalala's mission was to continue spreading a message of Peace and Love no matter what hurdles or events tried to stop this mission," read the statement.

According to the group’s schedule, they are to tour the US until August with a three-month break from May to July.

READ MORE: Funeral details for Joseph Shabalala revealed

Speaking to Channel24, Ladysmith Black Mambazo's manager, Xolani Majozi, confirmed that the funeral will take place in Ladysmith on 22 February 2020. He also revealed that the funeral will be open to the public.

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