(CNN) -- With their soulful voices and traditional Zulu dance moves, South African acappella singing sensation Ladysmith Black Mambazo have been blending vocal harmonies to take audiences on a musical journey for nearly half a century. The legendary male choral group has sold millions of albums worldwide, collaborated with music icons such as Paul Simon and counts Nelson Mandela as one of their faithful fans -- the venerable Nobel Peace Prize winner has described the group as "South Africa's cultural ambassadors." It's all a far cry from when young farmer-turned-factory worker Joseph Shabalala formed the band in 1964, hoping to use music as a vehicle to unite people in a country suffering from social divide and conflict.
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo were founded in Durban, South Africa in 1960s
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The male choral group started to win international recognition after working with Paul Simon
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The group has been hailed by Nelson Mandela as "South Africa's cultural ambassadors"
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The singing group is now passing the tradition on to the younger generations
Joseph Shabalala
"The music is for the people, we must take this music to the people," recalls @placeholder, one of the two remaining original members of the nine-piece group.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
But, apart from years of successful touring and international recognition, it is the relationship with @placeholder that has come to play a big part in the band's career.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
In 2003, @placeholder recruited them again as ambassadors for his HIV/Aids global awareness campaign, 46664, named after his prison number.
Joseph Shabalala
"Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a family, in my group I have four sons, the next generation of Mambazo, they are our future," @placeholder recently announced at a concert while introducing his sons.