Tenor Msizi Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo chuckles a bit when asked what part of the musical ensemble's program is his favorite. He says he likes it all, of course. But then he pauses and picks out a few moments that are special.

"Our opening song, 'Raise Your Spirit Higher' - our first message is 'don't be confused by the dilemma in your life,'" says Shabalala. "I like the message: Don't be deceived.

"Also, we like the audience to interact with us in the Zulu singing. We are teaching them how to make some of our clicks, which is part of our communication. ... It is quite interesting to me to share our language with other people, to give them a little bit of what is happening in our country."

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a 10-member vocal group, originated in South Africa some 30 years ago. Since then, the ensemble has traveled the world as cultural emissaries for South Africa, has garnered several Grammys along the way, and performed at multiple Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo marries its native South African musical traditions, called isicathamiya (is-cot-a-ME-ya), to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music. The former began in the mines of South Africa, where black workers were taken by rail to work far away from their homes and families.

Poorly housed and paid worse, the mine workers entertained themselves after a six-day week by singing songs in the wee hours of Sunday mornings. When the miners returned to their homelands, this musical tradition returned with them.

The name of the group has an unusual background. "Ladysmith" is the hometown of group founder Joseph Shabalala. "Black" refers to 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 that might challenge them.

"We are the vocal musicians ..."

Shabalala says the songs Ladysmith Black Mambazo will bring to the Norton Center April 5 are the compositions of lead singer Joseph Shabalala.

"We are the vocal musicians - we are not accompanied by any instrument," he explains. "We sing about natural things, like cows and different kinds of animals and plants.

"We sing about peace - peace among people, being in harmony, living together as a family. We like to see people getting closer to each other and loving their Creator, and loving their parents, as they can. It is very sad to see people arguing with each other or fighting with each other or killing one another. They have to sit down and solve their problems. There must be a harmony in this world."

Ladysmith Black Mambazo's concerts around the world have provided unusual opportunities for the ensemble's members. Shabalala says it is interesting to him to meet world leaders such as presidents, the Pope, prime ministers, and Queen Elizabeth II of England.

"It's just like heaven to me," he notes. "And also, coming to home and seeing Nelson Mandela face-to-face the first time - it was just like a dream. You used to get court and go to jail for mentioning him or having his photo. Now, a new South Africa has been born and I have been able to talk with him and sing with him whenever he sees us. He will get up and dance with us. He said our music was his inspiration."

The group won another Grammy this year
Another high point of being in Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Shabalala says, is recognition by the music industry. The group won another Grammy this year for "Raise Your Spirit Higher."

"Winning our second Grammy - our community ... call us each and every day saying congratulations. I didn't know they like our music very much, but the community appreciates what we are doing, even the government people. Even our new president was appreciating the music and saying, 'Congratulations on the Grammy, guys.'"

The hard part is picking up and leaving his family in South Africa - and the weather.

"You have got snow white weather, which is very different to our warm weather in Devon, one of the South African cities."

Shabalala thinks local audience members will like the a cappella harmonies of the group.

"Come and listen because every song we sing has a message of ... to love one another, to work together. Let's do it in harmony."

-Jennifer Brummett