Already in his youth, Johnny Clegg, a white, English-speaking person with what he called a "secular Jewish" upbringing in the UK, Israel, Rhodesia, Zambia, and South Africa, became interested in Zulu street music and took part in traditional Zulu dance competitions.
As a young man, in the early stages of his musical career, he combined his music with the study of anthropology, a subject which he also taught for a while at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where he was influenced, among others, by the work of David Webster, a social anthropologist who was assassinated in 1989.
Clegg formed the first inter-racial South African band, Juluka, with gardener and Zulu street musician Sipho Mchunu. Because it was illegal for inter-racial bands to perform in South Africa during apartheid, their first album Universal Men received no air play, but it became a word-of-mouth hit.
Juluka's / Clegg'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 non-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-80's. Even more explicit was the (later) Savuka album "Third World Child" in 1987, with songs like "Asimbonanga", which called for the release of Nelson Mandela, and which called out the names of three representative martyrs of the South African liberation struggle: Steve Biko, Victoria Mxenge, and Neil Aggett.
The following albums "Shadow Man" (which sold 250 000 copies within a week after it's release went on to sell more than 1 000 000 copies in France alone)[1], and "Cruel Crazy, Beautiful World" were dealing with more romantic topics, including "Cruel Crazy Beautiful World", where a father gives a message to his son, "Dela" where the very essence of love is explored, and more politically focused songs, such as "Warsaw 1943" and "One (Hu)'man one vote" which go back to political messages. The blend of topics is somehow confusing at first but gives an idea of the creative process underlying it, while the music and lyrics retain all the talent of the singer and his band. "Third World Child" and "Shadow Man" occupied 1st and 2nd position respectively in France and became the most successful foreign band in France and "Shadow Man" topped the charts in Montreaux, Canada.[2] During the prime of the band in 1988 Michael Jackson had to cancel his show as he attracted fewer audience as compared to Johnny Clegg and Savuka.[3] Their last album "Heat Dust and Dream" was nominated for a Grammy Award for best album in the category of World Music.[4]
Juluka were able to tour in Europe, and had two platinum and five gold albums, becoming an international success. Juluka was disbanded in 1986, when Mchunu was asked by his father to return home and herd the family goats, although Mchunu made some solo recordings afterwards. Clegg went on to form his second inter-racial band, Savuka, continuing to blend African music with European, especially Celtic, influences.
Briefly reunited with Mchunu in the mid-90's, Clegg reformed Juluka and toured throughout the world as the opening act for King Sunny Ade, as well as headliner performances.
The name Juluka is based on the Zulu word for "sweat", and Savuka is based on the Zulu word for "we have risen" or "we have awakened".
Clegg and his band often make an international tour during May-August (South African winter). However, the tours are usually limited to France and surrounding countries. In June 2004, the Johnny Clegg Band toured North America for the first time in over eight years, doing 22 concerts in one month. Even though they had no albums for sale in North America during those eight years, and no significant media coverage, they filled most of their venues. At the close of the final concert at the Keswick Theater in Philadelphia, Clegg stated that he was amazed at the reception they had gotten, and promised to return the following year with a full band. He then thanked his Internet fans for their support.
The band returned to North America in July 2005, with dates booked throughout the U.S. and Canada. Clegg's new album One Life was remixed at Real World Studios in Bath, England, and released on October 30th, 2006 in the UK.
In 2004 he was voted 23rd in the SABC3's Great South Africans.
Gijim 'beke
Johnny Clegg & Juluka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kwelamabhaca, ngiyesaba (repeat)
Gijim'beke, kwelamabhaca, gijim'beke
Chorus
Gijim'beke, kwelamabhaca, gijim'beke
Wo-hum
Wo-hum-um
Wo-hum
The lyrics to Johnny Clegg & Juluka's song Gijim 'beke in Zulu language speak about fear and uncertainty when faced with danger, specifically the fear of the Mabhaca people. Mabhaca refers to a clan widely known for their bravery and ability to defend themselves from attackers. The singer expresses his fear of the Mabhaca and their reputation for violence or trespassing, and how these things can cause him to feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually threatened. The repetition of "Ngiyesaba kwelamabhaca" emphasizes the depth of the singer's fear, almost as if he is chanting a prayer for protection.
The chorus of the song "Gijim'beke, kwelamabhaca, gijim'beke" is a call to action, and translates to "run away, to the Mabhaca, run away." The singer is using their fear as a motivator to move himself and others away from danger, to take proactive steps towards safety rather than become paralyzed by fear. There is a sense of urgency as they use the Zulu word "gijim'beke" which means "run away quickly." The use of Zulu words and phrases throughout the song adds rich cultural context and symbolism, displaying respect for the language and people of the Zulu nation.
Overall, the song speaks to the human experience of fear and how we can be motivated by it to take action in times of danger. The lyrics are a commentary on the culture of violence and fear in South Africa during the apartheid era when the song was released. It advocates for unity amidst a society rife with division, with the Mabhaca symbolizing cultural and racial differences that can cause fear and conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
Ngiyesaba kwelamabhaca, ngiyesaba
I fear the spears, I fear
Kwelamabhaca, ngiyesaba (repeat)
The spears, I fear (repeat)
Gijim'beke, kwelamabhaca, gijim'beke
Run away from the spears, the spears
Chorus
Chorus
Gijim'beke, kwelamabhaca, gijim'beke
Run away from the spears, the spears
Wo-hum
Wo-hum
Wo-hum-um
Wo-hum-um
Wo-hum
Wo-hum
Wo-hum-um
Wo-hum-um
Lyrics © RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Downtown Music Publishing, O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: MVUSENI MCHUNU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@simonbeverley5159
Thats such a dope track! Light years ahead!
@melamed5474
Hambe kahle umfowethu !!! Thank you for the music and the vision you had for South Africa ... You truly inspired us !! Rest in peace Jonny !!
@fleurelise997
Still amazing to this day 🎉🎉🎉🎉
@wesgriffin6081
I love this. We used to march into our Family reunion on this song. Our family reunion was a union of 3 Bradshaw brothers. Each branch was color coded -- Royal Blue, Olive Green and Purple. Each branch dressed in their branch colors....marched in by group ...with the oldest brother's branch marching in 1st, then the middle brother, then the youngest brother. Even though we celebrated as one family, you could always tell who's branch you were from by your colors. After the entrance march, we mingled together, as One. The mix of colors was BEAUTIFUL !! We came from all over the country - Ft Worth, Dallas, San Francisco, Austin, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Denton, McKinney, Fresno, Wash.DC., Waco. Oklahoma, etc. to celebrate our ancestors in Giddings, Texas - the town they grew up in.
THREE brothers.
Snyder Bradshaw / Anderson Bradshaw / Miles Bradshaw.
The BradShaw S.A.M. Family Reunion....GIDDINGS, Texas.
@lolitagagarimabu1262
Greatest legendary singer.
I hope to fly to see your grave one day from PNG.
RIP legend..
G-Aihi Aix.
@fienaff3001
Rest In Peace Johnny clegg
@sandraweilbrenner67
Rest in peace johnny