The founder of Ladysmith Black Mambazo has died at 78 years old. Joseph Shabalala died on Tuesday morning (11 February) at a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, according to reports from the BBC and The Associated Press.

Although he retired from touring in 2014, Shabalala took the South African group to international acclaim. The group's album Amabutho became Africa's first to reach gold-selling numbers. In 1986, they joined Paul Simon on his critically acclaimed Graceland album and the subsequent world tour. Shabalala co-wrote 'Homeless' and 'Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes' with Simon, who produced three of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's albums.

The group went on to win four Grammys for Best World Music Album, and appeared with the likes of Dolly Parton, Mavis Staples and Emmylou Harris.

On Twitter, the group said: "Our Founder, our Teacher, and most importantly, our Father left us today for eternal peace. We celebrate and honour your kind heart and your extraordinary life. Through your music and the millions who you came in contact with, you shall live forever".