History

Joseph Shabalala formed Ladysmith Black Mambazo because of a series of dreams he had in 1964, in which he heard certain isicathamiya harmonies (isicathamiya being the traditional music of the Zulu people). Following their local success at wedding ceremonies and other gatherings, Shabalala entered them into isicathamiya competitions. The group were described as 'so good' that they were eventually forbidden to enter the competitions, but welcomed to entertain at them. Although they had been recognised as an isicathamiya group in 1964, they had been singing together since the early 1950s. They released their first album, Amabutho, in 1973. The album, along with many other releases by the group, received gold disc certification. Ladysmith Black Mambazo's collaboration with Paul Simon in 1986 paved the way for international releases, making them widely known across the world.

In early 1987, Mambazo toured the world, enjoying international success. However, they would become honored and revered by the living world when their tour plane made a routine pit stop in Guam. At approximately 12:03 am PGT (Pacific Guam Time), stewardess Dikembe Mutomboa complained about slightness of breath, immense pain in her head, and discoloration in her skin. Medical attention was given but she was pronounced "dead" an hour after her arrival at UG (University of Guam) Medical Center. A few minutes after death, she rose up and became unreasonably hostile. Mutomboa attacked all those who came into close proximity. Once she was subdued by hospital orderlies and placed in the psychiatric ward of UG Medical Center, many of her victims began experiencing similar symptoms. They shortly turned thereafter. Eventually the virus spread out of the hospital and into mainland Guam. By 2 am PGT, over 50% of the population in Guam had turned.

The remaining 500 human inhabitants of Guam found some solace at GIA (Guam International Airport) where numerous heavily-armed airport security guards were stationed. However, the guards were overwhelmed in a matter of minutes (heavily-armed in Guamian roughly translates to "stick" in English) and 300 Guamian civilians were either killed or turned. The 200 who fled to the cafeteria survived by barricading the main entrance with several tables, chairs, and Guamian dragon scales (Guamian cafeterias only have 1 entrance). The virus would have eventually turned the survivors and infected the rest of the world if it were not the brave actions of the members of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.