Death of Johnny Clegg, the author of “Asinbonanga”

South African singer Johnny Clegg, known through his song “Asinbonanga”, died on Tuesday July 16, 2019 at the age of 66.

“Johnny passed away peacefully today, surrounded by his family in Johannesburg (…), after a four and a half year battle against cancer,” said his manager, Rodd Quinn, on the public television channel SABC.

Jonathan Clegg, his real name, was a Zulu dancer, hence his nickname “White Zulu”. The themes of his songs were mainly focused on the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. He was a tireless defender of African culture, notably with his best-known song “Asimbonanga” which pays tribute to Nelson Mandela, and “scatterling of Africa”, a cover for the soundtrack of the film Rain Man (1988).

“He has played a major role in South Africa in introducing people to different cultures and bringing them together,” Quinn said in a statement, adding that Johnny Clegg “showed us what it meant to embrace other cultures without losing one’s identity.”

Johnny Clegg drew his inspiration from the Zulu culture to create revolutionary music where frenzied African rhythms cohabit with guitar, electric keyboard and accordion.

The “White Zulu”, who suffered from pancreatic cancer, had recently gone on a farewell world tour.

photo: Courrier International

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