The artistic career of Johnny Clegg emerged from a deep immersion in Zulu migrant culture during the peak of the apartheid era in South Africa. As a performer, academic, and composer, he integrated traditional rhythms with contemporary rock, challenging the racial segregation laws that governed public life and assembly within the country for decades.
Early influences and academic training
Born in 1953 in Bacup, Clegg relocated to South Africa as a child. He grew up in Johannesburg, where he encountered the music of Zulu migrant workers. Under the mentorship of musician Charlie Mzila, he developed proficiency in the maskandi guitar and the isishameni dance style. Following his secondary education, he enrolled at the University of the Witwatersrand, eventually earning a degree in social anthropology. He later lectured at the same institution, publishing scholarly research regarding Zulu musical traditions.
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In 1969, Clegg began a long-standing musical collaboration with Sipho Mchunu, a Zulu migrant worker. This partnership evolved into the band Juluka, which released its debut album, Universal Men, in 1979. By design, the group featured both black and white musicians, an arrangement that frequently triggered harassment from security forces and censorship from state broadcasters. Unable to play conventional venues, the band performed in private homes, churches, and universities, eventually achieving significant commercial success with two platinum and five gold records.
Savuka and international recognition
Following the disbandment of Juluka in 1985, Clegg formed the band Savuka with dancer Dudu Zulu. Their 1986 album, Third World Child, gained international momentum, particularly in France. While Savuka expanded his global reach, the group faced challenges at home, including tension with international boycotts against the apartheid regime. The band dissolved in 1993 following the death of Dudu Zulu. During his career, Clegg produced notable works such as Asimbonanga and Scatterlings.
Recognition and later life
Throughout his career, Clegg served as an educator and a vocal critic of institutionalized racism. His contributions were acknowledged through several honors, including an honorary doctorate from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2007, the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver in 2012, and an appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2015. He died in 2019 in Johannesburg and was interred at Westpark Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1953, Bacup
- Died: 2019, Johannesburg
- Education: University of the Witwatersrand
- Notable bands: Juluka, Savuka
- Citizenship: United Kingdom, South Africa
- Notable songs: Asimbonanga, Scatterlings
- Burial place: Westpark Cemetery
- Fields: Anthropology, music, activism
Questions readers ask
Was Johnny Clegg only a musician?
No, he was also a trained social anthropologist who lectured at the University of the Witwatersrand and authored scholarly papers on Zulu music.
Why did Juluka struggle to perform in South Africa?
The band's multi-racial composition violated apartheid-era segregation laws, leading to police harassment, arrests, and the denial of access to public broadcasting.
Achievements
- Notable work: Asimbonanga
- Notable work: Scatterlings
- Affiliated with University of the Witwatersrand
- Educated at University of the Witwatersrand
- Worked as anthropologist, singer-songwriter and guitarist
