JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African singer and songwriter Johnny Clegg, one of the few white artists to openly confront the apartheid government in the late 1970s and 1980s, died on Tuesday aged 66, his agent said.
He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015.
RIP Johnny Clegg. One of the greatest artists of South Africa and the world. Musa Ukungilandela by his band Juluka is one of the great albums of all time. He was a great friend when I needed one during my Sun City research. His use of Zulu influenced me to use it in Pretoria.
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 17, 2019
The Grammy-nominated singer, sometimes called the “White Zulu”, died peacefully at home in Johannesburg on Tuesday with his family, according to Clegg’s manager, Roddy Quin.
Condolences to Family and Friends of
Johnny Clegg -one of South Africa’s most celebrated sons. He was a singer, a songwriter, a dancer, anthropologist whose infectious crossover music exploded onto the international scene and contributed towards social cohesion #RIPJohnnyClegg pic.twitter.com/NpyQeZ2E4X— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) July 16, 2019
“Johnny leaves deep footprints in the hearts of every person that considers himself or herself to be an African,” Quinn told AFP.
South Africa’s government paid tribute to Clegg’s achievements on Twitter, saying his music could “unite people across the races and bring them together as a community”.
“Clegg has made an indelible mark in the music industry and the hearts of the people,” they said.
Clegg formed the band Juluka in 1969 with the black guitarist Sipho Mchunu at a time when mixing among races was still illegal under South Africa’s institutional segregation.
The 1987 hit “Asimbonanga”, a tribute to Nelson Mandela, who at the time had been imprisoned on Robben Island for over two decades, was one of the high points of a glittering career.
He went on to perform the song for Mandela onstage in South Africa at the popular Aids awareness concerts that Mandela organised.
After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015, Clegg cut down on his public performances while undergoing treatment, which won him a period of respite.
“It has been a rewarding career in so many aspects ... to be able to unite people through song, especially at a time where it seemed impossible,” he said.
He has two sons with his wife, Jennifer, one of whom is popular rock musician Jesse Clegg.