Headman Shabalala

Ladysmith Black Mambazo member


member name=Headman Shabalala
years=1960 - 1991
dob=October 10, 1945
dead=December 10, 1991
status=Married
occupation=Formerly bass member

Headman Msongelwa Shabalala (October 10 1945 - December 10 1991) was a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African choral group founded and still led by his brother Joseph.

Headman was born in Ladysmith, in the eMnambithi area and grew up with his brothers Joseph, Jockey, Enoch, Makhosini and Ben. In 1960, he joined the first incarnation of his brother Joseph's group and became a full-time member alongside his brother Enoch and various cousins and relatives. Singing as a bass voice, Headman added sounds to the songs that would become synonymous with the group's rhythm; the low gruffs and growls and the "clicking" noises (today, they are sounded by Russel Mthembu and Sibongiseni Shabalala, respectively).

By the mid-1980s, the line-up had changed rapidly and Headman, along with his brother Joseph and cousin Albert Mazibuko, were the only original members from the 1960s.

By the start of the 1990s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo had become famous across the world. On December 10, 1991, while driving home from a family gathering in KwaZulu-Natal, Headman was shot and killed by a white, off-duty security guard in an apparent racially motivated killing.