South Africa’s ‘white Zulu’ to stir things up Down Under

Born in the UK in 1953, Johnny Clegg and his family settled in SA when he was nine. In his teens, the budding guitarist developed an interest in traditional Zulu music and dance and was frequently arrested for visiting friends in Johannesburg’s black townships. One young man in particular, migrant worker Sipho Mchunu, made a huge impact on Clegg, and the pair ultimately went on to change the face of South African music.



In apartheid South Africa, a musical alliance and friendship between a black and a white youngster was not only taboo – the country’s repressive race laws all but forbade them from fraternising or performing together. They had to endure racial abuse, threats of violence and police harassment in their quest to use music to break down race barriers.



Their big break came in 1976 with the release of Woza Friday, and soon the band Juluka – meaning “sweat” – was formed, enjoying great success against the odds. In 1985, Mnchunu returned to rural Zululand to farm, and Clegg formed a new band, Savuka (meaning “we have risen”), which proved especially popular in the Francophone countries. By the late 1980s, Savuka was the biggest selling world music group in the world.



During the course of his band and solo career, Clegg has chalked up several accolades – including a Grammy nomination and being named a Knight of Arts and Letters by the Government of France – as well as hits such as Asimbonanga, Great Heart, The Crossing, December African Rain, Third World Child, Impi and Scatterlings of Africa.



He continues to tour extensively, and lends his voice to former President Nelson Mandela’s 46664 HIV and Aids campaign. This pioneering musician is still going strong, and promises to deliver a live show that’s an energetic, invigorating and uplifting experience.