‘Last tour’ for White Zulu

Clegg, who is nearing a 40-year music career, will kick-start The Final Journey on 1 July at GrandWest Casino in Cape Town. This will be followed by two concerts at Montecasino in Johannesburg on 7 and 8 July and one at the Durban ICC Arena on 29 July. Following the four South African dates, Clegg will begin the first phase of his international tour, starting with shows at the Hammersmith Apollo in London on 19 August and the Dubai Opera House on 20 September. Additional South African and international dates will be confirmed later on.

Clegg was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and underwent chemotherapy. Throughout the treatment he continued to tour locally and internationally, undertaking a nine-week tour of the US and Canada in 2016. Now in remission, he is finishing a new album and an autobiography. 

“This will be my final set of public performances for my fans in SA and around the world,” Clegg, who is often referred to as ‘the White Zulu’, said. “I am immensely excited to be able to bring to them an autobiographical, audio-visual and intimate account of my life through my music and dance.”

Clegg’s long-time manager and promoter Roddy Quin also said that the tour would be the musician’s last. “Johnny is taking time off to write his autobiography and spend time with his family and do the things he hasn't been able to do due to an incredible work schedule," Quin said.

“It's been a privilege to have travelled such a long journey with Johnny and an honour to have worked and shared so many incredible experiences with him. It has truly been inspiring. And so we are excited to present The Final Journey with four incredible shows in SA in July and the tour, which will stretch across the world over the next few months. Johnny will still continue writing, recording and will partake in a few private engagements.”

The tour will be built around Clegg’s extensive repertoire, which began with the release of Juluka’s Universal Men in 1979 and continued through the Savuka years and his more recent solo work. Juluka was a South African music band formed in 1969 by Clegg and Sipho Mchunu. A highlight of the tour will be the different styles of dance that have been integral to Clegg’s life and work, ever since he learnt the fundamentals of Zulu music and traditional Zulu Inhlangwinini dancing with Charlie Mzila while still a teenager. Guest artists include the Soweto Gospel Choir.

Tickets for the South African dates are available via Computicket.