Sometimes called Le Zoulou Blanc, he is an important figure in South African popular music history, with songs that mix Zulu with English lyrics and African with various Western music styles.
Clegg was born in Bacup, Lancashire, to an English father and a Rhodesian mother. Clegg's mother's family were Jewish immigrants from Poland, and Clegg had a secular Jewish upbringing, learning about the Ten Commandments but refusing to have a bar mitzvah or even associate with other Jewish children at school. His parents divorced when he was still an infant, and he moved with his mother to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and then, at the age of 6, to South Africa, also spending less than a year in Israel during childhood.
As an adolescent in Johannesburg's northern suburbs, he encountered the demi-monde of the city's Zulu migrant workers' music and dance. Under the tutelage of Charlie Mzila, a flat cleaner by day and musician by night, Clegg mastered both the Zulu language and the maskandi guitar and isishameni dance styles of the migrants. Clegg's involvement with black musicians often led to arrests for trespassing on government property and for contravening the Group Areas Act. He was first arrested at the age of 15 for violating apartheid-era laws in South Africa banning people of different races from congregating together after curfew hours. At the age of 17, he met Sipho Mchunu, a Zulu migrant worker with whom he began performing music. The partnership, which they named Johnny & Sipho and then Juluka, was profiled in the 1970s television documentary Beats of the Heart: Rhythm of Resistance.
As a young man, Clegg pursued an academic career for four years, lecturing at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of Natal, and writing several seminal scholarly papers on Zulu music and dance. In the early stages of his musical career, Clegg combined his music with the study of anthropology at Wits, where he was influenced, among others, by the work of David Webster, a social anthropologist who was later assassinated in 1989. He preceded each song with snippets of Zulu culture, information, commentary, humor and personal anecdotes relevant and unique to that song. An engaged social anthropologist, he not only mastered the theories but delved into the culture and disseminated it.
Juluka was an unusual musical partnership for the time in South Africa, with a white man (Clegg) and a black man (Mchunu) performing together. The band, which grew to a six-member group (with three white musicians and three black musicians) by the time it released its first album Universal Men in 1979, faced harassment and censorship, with Clegg later remarking that it was "impossible" to perform in public in South Africa.[9] The group tested the apartheid-era laws, touring and performing in private venues, including universities, churches, hostels, and even private homes in order to attract an audience, as national broadcasters would not play their music. Just as unusually, the band's music combined Zulu, Celtic, and rock elements, with both English and isiZulu lyrics. Those lyrics often contained coded political messages and references to the battle against apartheid, although Clegg has maintained that Juluka was not originally intended to be a political band. "Politics found us," he told The Baltimore Sun in 1996. In a 1989 interview with the Sunday Times, Clegg denied the label of "political activist." "For me a political activist is someone who has committed himself to a particular ideology. I don’t belong to any political party. I stand for human rights."
Juluka's music was both implicitly and explicitly political; not only was the fact of the success of the band (which openly celebrated African culture in a bi-racial band) a thorn in the flesh of a political system based on racial separation, the band also produced some explicitly political songs. For example, the album Work for All (which includes a song with the same title) picked up on South African trade union slogans in the mid-1980s. As a result of their political messages and racial integration, Clegg and other band members were arrested several times and concerts routinely broken up.
Despite being ignored and often harassed by the South African government at home, Juluka were able to tour internationally, playing in Europe, Canada, and the United States, and had two platinum and five gold albums, becoming an international success. The group was disbanded in 1985, when Mchunu returned to his rural home to care for his family.
Together with the black musician and dancer Dudu Zulu, Clegg went on to form his second inter-racial band, Savuka, in 1986, continuing to blend African music with European influences. The group's first album, Third World Child, broke international sales records in several European countries, including France. The band went on to record several more albums, including Heat, Dust and Dreams, which received a Grammy Award nomination. Johnny Clegg and Savuka played both at home and abroad, even though Clegg's refusal to stop performing in apartheid-era South Africa created tensions with the international anti-apartheid movement and led to his expulsion from the British Musicians' Union. In one instance, the band drew such a large crowd in Lyon that Michael Jackson cancelled a concert there, complaining that Clegg and his group had "stolen all his fans". In 1993, the band dissolved after Dudu Zulu was shot and killed while attempting to mediate a taxi war.
Briefly reunited in the mid-1990s, Clegg and Mchunu reformed Juluka, released a new album, and toured throughout the world in 1996 with King Sunny Ade. Since then, Clegg has recorded several solo albums. His touring schedule was abbreviated in 2017 after undergoing surgery for pancreatic cancer, and Clegg performed his last scheduled tour date in Maritius in October of 2018. During one concert in 1999, he was joined onstage by South African President Nelson Mandela, who danced as he sang the protest song Savuka had dedicated to him, "Asimbonanga". Asimbonanga became something of an anthem for the Mass Democratic Movement's umbrella organisation, the United Democratic Front. During Mandela's illness and death in 2013, the video of the concert attracted considerable media attention outside South Africa.
His song "Scatterlings of Africa" gave him his only entries in the UK Singles Chart to date, reaching No. 44 in February 1983 with Juluka and 75 in May 1987 as Johnny Clegg and Savuka. The following year the song was featured on the soundtrack to the 1988 Oscar-winning film Rain Man.
His song "Life is a Magic Thing" was featured in Ferngully.
Savuka's song "Dela" was featured on the soundtrack of the 1997 film George of the Jungle and its 2003 sequel, while "Great Heart" was the title song for the 1986 film Jock of the Bushveld. "Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World" was featured in the 1990 film Opportunity Knocks and 1991 film Career Opportunities. "Great Heart" was also the end credits song for the 2000 Disney movie Whispers: An Elephant's Tale. In 2002 Clegg provided several songs and incidental background music for Jane Goodall's "Wild Chimpanzees" DVD. Included in the extras on the disc are rare scenes of Clegg in the recording studio.
Jimmy Buffett recorded "Great Heart" for his 1988 album, Hot Water.
He co-wrote "Diggah Tunnah" with Lebo M. for Disney's 2004 direct-to-video animated film The Lion King 1½.
Clegg was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres (Knight of Arts and Letters) by the French Government in 1991.
In 2004, he was voted 23rd in the SABC3's Great South Africans.
In 2007, Clegg received an honorary doctorate in music from the University of the Witwatersrand.
In 2011, Clegg received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from City University of New York School of Law.
In 2012, Clegg received the Order of Ikhamanga,Silver as part of the National Orders ceremony. This award is the highest honour a citizen can receive in South Africa. It was presented by President Jacob Zuma.
In 2012, Clegg received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.
In 2013, Clegg received an honorary Doctorate in Music from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
In 2015, Clegg was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Clegg's son Jesse Clegg is also a recording artist. Displaying a style markedly different from that of his father, in 2008 he released his debut album When I Wake Up. As a rock musician, the younger Clegg has quickly built up a following, with the album being nominated for two South African Music Awards.
Clegg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015. Clegg died in his Johannesburg home on 16 July 2019.
Bibliography
Clegg, Jonathan (1981). Phil Bonner (ed.). ""Ukubuyisa Isidumbu", "Bringing back the body": An examination of the ideology of vengeance in the Msinga and Mpofana Rural Locations, 1822–1944". Working Papers in Southern African Studies. Johannesburg: Ravan Press. 2.
Clegg, Jonathan (1981). Andrew Tracey (ed.). "The Music of Zulu Immigrant Workers in Johannesburg: A Focus on Concertina and Guitar". Papers presented at the Symposium on Ethnomusicology. Grahamstown: International Library of African Music.
Clegg, Jonathan (1982). Andrew Tracey (ed.). "Towards an understanding of African Dance: The Zulu Isishameni Style". Papers read at Second Symposium on Ethnomusicology, 24–26 September 1981, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. Grahamstown: Institute of Social and Economic Research.
Africa
Johnny Clegg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scatterlings and fugitives
Hooded eyes and weary brows
Seek refuge in the night
They are the scatterlings of Africa
Each uprooted one
On the road to Phelamanga
I love the scatterlings of Africa
Each and every one
In their hearts a burning hunger
Beneath the copper sun
Ancient bones from Olduvai
Echoes of the very first cry
"Who made me here and why
Beneath the copper sun?"
African idea
African idea
Make the future clear
Make the future clear
And we are the scatterlings of Africa
Both you and I
We're on the road to Phelamanga
Beneath the copper sky
And we are the scatterlings of Africa
On a journey to the stars
Far below, we leave forever
Dreams of what we were
We are the scatterlings of Africa
We are the scatterlings of Africa
We are the scatterlings of Africa
We are the scatterlings of Africa
Scatterlings of Africa
Scatterlings of Africa
The first stanza of Johnny Clegg's "Africa" begins with a vivid metaphor - rain falling like a symphony on the rooftop of his heart. This imagery sets the tone for the introspective and contemplative nature of the song's lyrics. As the movement in the whispering deep signals a new dream starting, the singer sees the shining eyes of someone who is strong, smiling in the dark. He wonders what made this person so strong, and later mentions seeing them dealing in the market place, buying "political regrets". The line "you've been walking on the water again, but your feet never ever get wet" likely refers to the idea that this person has achieved great things without sacrificing their integrity or being brought down by corruption.
The chorus of the song, which is sung in Zulu, translates to "Africa, your innocent weep". The singer lights a candle for the innocent ones and for their love, and says a prayer for peace on earth for the daughters and the sons. The final stanza once again references the strength of the person he has been observing, saying that their life is like a cheap street fight, but they are laughing in the dark. The presence of an AK-47 on the dashboard and the fact that mercy has left the town suggest a violent and tumultuous environment, yet the person remains strong.
Overall, "Africa" is a reflective and poignant ode to the resilience of the African people in the face of hardship and adversity. It speaks to the strength of both individuals and communities, and calls for peace and justice for all.
Line by Line Meaning
Rain falling like a symphony
The rainfall feels like a beautiful symphony.
On the roof top of my heart
The rain touches the singer's emotions.
There's a movement in the whispering deep
The depths of the singer's soul are stirring with change.
Before the new dream starts
This change is leading to a new dream or beginning.
I see your eyes shining like a neon light .
The brightness in their eyes is overwhelming.
Smiling in the dark - What made you so strong ?
The strength of their smile despite dark times is admirable.
I've seen you dealing in the market place
They have witnessed the corruption in politics.
Buying political regrets
Politicians make decisions they later come to regret.
And you've been walking on the water again
Despite challenges, they prevail and seemingly achieve the impossible.
But your feet never ever get wet
They always come out unscathed despite the obstacles.
But you just say...
Despite all this the singer wants to know their secret.
Chorus: Afrika kukhala abangcwele
Africa, the artist shows empathy and solidarity with innocent souls suffering.
(Africa your innocent weep)
The people of Africa are suffering and they feel their pain.
I light a candle for the innocent ones
In honor of the innocent lost, they light a candle as a tribute.
I light a candle for our love
They hope that love can conquer all.
Say a prayer for peace on earth
They extend their prayers and hopes for peace for everyone.
For the daughters and the sons
The artist hopes that children everywhere remain safe from harm.
And your life is like a cheap street fight
Their life has been difficult, like a cheap street fight.
And you're laughing in the dark - What
Despite their hardships they laugh and they wonder what kept them strong.
Made you so strong ? (repeat)
They still seek to understand what keeps them going.
I've been waiting all my life for this
The artist has been waiting so long for something like this to happen.
To see how the deal gees down -
They long to witness how this will unfold.
There's an AK 47 on the dashboard
There is a gun on the dashboard of a vehicle, which is dangerous.
And mercy's left this town, and you say...
The feeling of mercy and forgiveness has left, and they query the why.
Chorus: Afrika kukhala abangcwele !
The singer joins in solidarity with the innocent souls of Africa.
(Africa your innocent weep...
They lament and feel the pain of the people of Africa.
That's the way
This is the reality of life.
It is.. .What makes you so strong ?
The artist still seeks to understand and learn from their strength.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (FRANCE), RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Jonathan Paul Clegg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sonnyroy497
Today is June 7, 2023, Johnny would have been 70 years of age today. Rip Johnny Clegg 💜.
@elizabethmcleod246
He had the same birthday as Prince! 💜
@nickca420
This video was filmed in Zimbabwe, because at the time it was illegal and punishable by extrajudicial beatings at best to film a video like this in Clegg’s home of South Africa. He was born a Brit but died a Zulu.
@sibusisomko1814
only Zuluz going to haven zulu
@nickca420
@@sibusisomko1814 Ngiyavuma umngane wami kodwa uJohnny Clegg ubeyinto ekhethekile. That's translated so I don't know if I said it right.
@clipvillelive4712
@@nickca420 very right sir...from a Xhosa
@EphphathaSalama
Thanks for sharing
@TheRaggamaniac
I was looking for this comment! I recognised home. Love the viedeo and song!❤
@AS-wm7jm
The greatest white man in South Africa. He fought for a better world without prejudice where everyone is equal without prevailing over each other. Now we are left with only his beautiful music and great ideas.
Manje osekusele wumculo wakhe noma singaphinde simbone.
@lethaboncanane1420
All the way from Swaziland 🇸🇿🇸🇿🇸🇿🇸🇿 2024