THE KZN town Ladysmith, which is also home to the legendary Grammy award-winning isicathamiya group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, is in the process of changing its name.
But the group said it would not change its name should their hometown's name change.
This after KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in partnership with the KZN Geographic Names Committee called on Ladysmith people under Alfred Duma Municipality to participate in the renaming process.
Residents can choose between the names Ladysmith or uMnambithi, or nominate other names.
On the other hand, it's believed some residents want the town to be named after the late Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder, Joseph Shabalala.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s manager Xolani Majozi said even if the town changes its name, the group will not.
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“The group name won’t change even if the town is changed to uMnambithi or Joseph Shabalala. We won’t change the group's name to uMnambithi Black Mambazo or Joseph Shabalala Black Mambazo.
“The name of the group has a history now and it's not something that can be changed easily,” he said.
He said they have heard that many people are proposing that Ladysmith be changed to Joseph Shabalala.
“Ladysmith Black Mambazo decided not to campaign for Ladysmith to be renamed after Joseph Shabalala but gave it to residents to decide which name they want.
“We will accept the name we came up with them,” he said.
KZN MEC for Sport, Art, and Culture Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba said locals should take this opportunity as it affects them directly.
“People, especially indigenous habitants of the area, are living archives of each area as they know the background behind each name of a geographical area be it its mountain, river or town,” he said.
