Two things. First, a Ladysmith Black Mambazo concert is the perfect way to ward off the chill of a January afternoon. Second, you don’t have to speak the language to enjoy the music — the group’s mission of spreading “the culture of love, peace and harmony throughout the world” — is easy to understand in any tongue.

The Grammy-winning South African vocal group, which mixes native South African rhythm and harmony with the joyful sounds of gospel, performed a University Musical Society-sponsored show Sunday in Hill Auditorium.

From the moment Ladysmith’s nine members walked out on stage, they radiated warmth, their light gold dashikis — stitched with representations of native wildlife — reflecting a glow back on the faces of those down front. Led by founder Joseph Shabalala, the current lineup includes four of his sons, which he called “the next generation, our future.”

By all indications, the future is in good hands. Thamsanqa (Tommy) and Sibongiseni Shabalala in particular were given time to shine on their own and were terrific.

Though I’d never seen them perform live, I’d heard Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s amazing harmonies and vocal arrangements were just a part of the picture, and that is totally true. With practiced choreography; an outstanding rapport with the audience; and plenty of fun-to-watch, boyish horseplay among the group’s members, Ladysmith is a visual, as well as aural, treat.

Formed in the early 1960s, the group first came to worldwide attention thanks to its participation on Paul Simon’s 1986 album “Graceland,” from which they offered the moving “Homeless.”

The show opened with “Nomathemba,” a song about hope which Shabalala wrote in the 1960s. Also on the program were “This Is The Way We Do,” from their current album, and “Shosholoza,” the beautiful number which ended the concert. A tune about missing home, “the place where I grew up,” included some spot-on bird calls, and another that involved the members of the group vying for the attention of girl was easy to understand as each tried to outdo the other with his fancy dance moves.

Many of Ladysmith’s songs are pleas for peace, understanding and harmony. Sunday it even included an invitation for everyone at the concert to come down and stay when the United States and South Africa play each other in the World Cup championship.

Of course that was just an excuse to lead into an audience-participation tune in which the audience was pitted against the members of Ladysmith, with the promise of that whoever sang better, their country would win the cup. Of course the audience was declared the winner, much to the well-rehearsed dismay of Ladysmith members who claimed they couldn’t sing as well as the crowd because there were no women in their ensemble. At any rate, I’d say the audience sounded pretty darned good.

One final note: Ladysmith Black Mambazo won the 2009 Grammy for Traditional World Music CD; if you wanted proof, it was proudly displayed in the lobby on the merchandise table. Sweet.

Roger LeLievre is a freelance writer who covers music for AnnArbor.com.