SA’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo in London for queen’s birthday

“We are honoured and happy to bet invited to perform at the queen’s birthday in England,” Ladysmith Black Mambazo member Sibongiseni Shabalala told Music In Africa. “We are ready. When we get there we will start rehearsing with Tom Jones.”

Other artists performing at the high-profile event include Craig David, Anne-Marie, Sting, Kylie Minogue, Shaggy and Shawn Mendes.

Shabalala, who is the son of Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder Joseph Shabalala, said the invitation to play at the queen’s birthday spoke volumes about the music of South Africa.

“To us it shows that people are supporting South African music, especially our traditional music. It shows our music is in people’s hearts all over the world,” he said.

“We are happy because it was my father’s mission, when he formed the group back in 1960, to send a message of love and peace to people all over the world from South Africa.”

Shabalala said this would not be Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s first time to entertain royalty.

“We have performed in England many times and this will be our third time performing for the royal family,” Shabalala said, adding that the group will perform 'Nomathemba', ‘Hello My Baby’ and ‘Homeless’ come 21 April.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo won a fifth Grammy earlier this year for the album Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration, making it the most successful African group at the coveted awards. The band will embark on a European on 30 April