South African musician and anthropologist, who recorded and performed with his bands Juluka and Savuka, has died at his family home in Johannesburg on Tuesday afternoon at the age of 66.
The singer had been battling with pancreatic cancer since 2015.
He was a songwriter, dancer, anthropologist and musical activist who blended Zulu rhythms with Western styles. He defied apartheid segregation laws and contributed immensely towards social cohesion in the young South African democracy.
The singer formed the bands Juluka and Savuka in 1970 during South Africa’s white-minority rule.
After two years of being diagnosed with cancer, Clegg embarked on his series of performances across the world named “The Final Journey” in 2017.
Co-workers and fans have been giving him tributes.
“Johnny leaves deep footprints in the hearts of every person that considers him/herself to be an African,” said Quinn. “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.”
During his career that spanned four decades, he sold more than five million albums, earned a slate of international awards and provided a soundtrack to the anti-apartheid struggle and South Africa’s transition to multi-racial democracy in 1994.
Clegg is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jenny, and their two sons Jesse and Jaron.
> Puza Sarker Snigdha
