South Africa mourns Johnny Clegg

Born on 7 June 1953, Clegg passed away at his Johannesburg home after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2015.

“It is with immense sadness that we confirm that Jonathan (Johnny) Clegg succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 66 on the afternoon of 16 July 2019 at his family home in Johannesburg, South Africa,” Clegg's manager and family spokesman, Roddy Quin, said.

“Johnny leaves deep footprints in the hearts of every person that considers him/herself to be an African. He showed us what it was to assimilate to and embrace other cultures without losing your identity. An anthropologist that used his music to speak to every person. With his unique style of music, he traversed cultural barriers like few others. In many of us he awakened awareness.”

Condolences have been pouring in on social media since last night.

“The Nelson Mandela Foundation mourns the passing of a musical icon and a freedom fighter Johnny Clegg. We are blessed to have seen him," the foundation wrote on Twitter. “We will keep singing ‘Asimbonanga’ [We Didn't See Him]. We will keep working for the country of his dreams. Hamba kahle qhawe lamaqhawe [Go well hero of heroes].

“Asimbonanga ofana no Johnny Clegg,” the South African government wrote. “He has left deep footprints in our hearts. He showed us what it was to assimilate to and embrace other cultures without losing your identity.”

Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa wrote: “A towering giant has fallen with the passing of legendary singer, songwriter and anthropologist Johnny Clegg. Our hearts are sore and as he famously sang in 'Asimbonanga', 'Oh the sea is cold and the sky is grey’ as we contend with the loss of a torchbearer of our struggle for freedom.”

The veteran singer, also known as the 'white Zulu', last toured in 2017 and was honoured by a group of 50 African and international musicians who released a remake of ‘The Crossing’ off Clegg’s 1993 Heat, Dust and Dreams album.

Clegg’s passion for music began in 1967 under the guidance of Charlie Mzila, a cleaner and musician who kindled his deep love for the Zulu culture and language. At 15, Clegg began mastering the maskandi guitar and isishameni dance styles. His association with Mzila and other black artists landed him in trouble with the authorities who often accused him of breaking the Group Areas Act. At 15, he was arrested for not complying with apartheid-era laws but this didn’t dissuade him from pursuing his dream.

When he was 17, Clegg met a Zulu migrant worker by the name of Sipho Mchunu. The two performed together and formed Juluka ('Sweet') in 1969. Juluka's first single was ‘Woza Friday’ released 1976, which was followed by eight studio albums and three compilations. The group, which had an additional nine members, faced resistance from the government and had its music banned by Radio Bantu.

In 1985, Juluka broke up, forcing Mchunu to move back to Natal while Clegg pursued music further and formed Savuka, which earned him international exposure and success. The group is credited for such albums as Third World Child (1987), Shadow Man (1988), Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World (1989) and Heat, Dust and Dreams (1993).

Like Juluka, Savuka had trouble with the government following the release of ‘Asimbonanga’ – a 1987 song dedicated to Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko and other anti-apartheid activists. The group had its concerts raided and band members arrested.

In 1988, Savuka toured Europe and became an international success, especially in France. They became the second-best selling South African group outside South Africa, after Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The group split up following the death of percussionist Dudu Zulu in 1992. Savuka recorded ‘The Crossing’ as a tribute to the musician. The ensemble regrouped in the mid-1990s and released the 14-track Crocodile Love album. Since then, Clegg’s career continued to blossom and he released several solo albums while touring the world. In 1999, he was joined onstage by South African President Nelson Mandela while performing ‘Asimbonanga’. Clegg sold more than 5 million albums during his career.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jenny, and their two sons, Jesse and Jaron.