Ladysmith Black Mambazo has come to represent the traditional culture of South Africa. They are regarded as South Africa's cultural emissaries at home and around the world.

In 1993, at Nelson Mandela's request, Black Mambazo accompanied the future President to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway. Mambazo sang again at President Mandela's inauguration in May of 1994. They are a national treasure of the new South Africa in part because they embody the traditions suppressed in the old South Africa.

The traditional music sung by Ladysmith Black Mambazo is called Isicathamiya (Is-Cot-A-Me-Ya). It was born in the mines of South Africa.The group has devoted itself to the consciousness raising of South African culture.