Johnny Clegg: He Belongs to the Musical Ages!


By Joburg Post

South African singer Johnny Clegg has died at the age of 66 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. 

Clegg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015 but continued to tour and perform around the world.

He received the Order of Ikhamanga as part of the national orders in 2012.

  Clegg's manager Roddy Quin confirmed the legendary musician's passing.

Quin said in a statement, 

"Johnny leaves deep footprints in the hearts of every person that considers him/herself to be an African. 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."

Clegg is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jenny and their two sons Jesse and Jaron.

 
 
The legendary SA singer's family request their privacy be respected during this trying time. 

Today Africa has lost a giant in music but moreso, a trailblazer in traditional music. He challenged our understanding of what it means to be an African. He took the sounds of Africa to the rest of the world and he reminded us about how magical we are as African people. 

His day is gone and though our hearts are heavy, our souls are thankful for the musical talent that graced our land. He no longer belongs to us but to the musical ages. We meet him now only in joyful musical memories. Rest in musical peace White Zulu!

-JP

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Johnny Clegg

South African music

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