By RFPosted on 17-07-2019Modified on 17-07-2019 at 04:11

Singer, composer, dancer, Johnny Clegg has married South African rhythms with pop melodies, and used his music as a weapon against racism and the apartheid regime. In South Africa, he is considered a national hero.

In interviews and concerts, Richard Nwamba, a radio presenter based in Johannesburg, regularly crossed paths with Johnny Clegg. He remembers his courage as he braved the apartheid laws. " At 17, he formed his band, Juluka. It was like directly challenging the apartheid government. Whites lived on one side and blacks on the other. So they who played together, it was as if they were doing an arm of honor! At that time, it must be remembered that anything could happen, he could have been killed. "

Because Johnny Clegg was inspired not only by Zulu music, but also by his culture as a whole, which he fell in love with. "He was one of the first whites to want to play what was considered" lower "music, black music. But he made the black languages ​​respectable. Just like dances, and culture! "

Music as a weapon against apartheid

In 1987, he composed "Asimbonanga", a song in support of Nelson Mandela . Censored in South Africa, Richard Nwamba remembers how she became a weapon to fight the regime. " Through music, he has made people aware. Asimbonanga, in Zulu, means "we have not seen it". Not only did we put this old man in prison, but in addition we banned the publication of photos of him! It showed how repressive the government was. "

He took risks. We lost someone who played an important role in South Africa.

Death of Johnny Clegg: the reactions of the musician Sam Tshabalala

17-07-2019 - By Sébastien Jédor

►To read also : South Africa, the fight in music

South Africans mourning

Born into a family of immigrants, this famous musician was in fact an anthropologist by training. The philosopher Achille Mbembe, who has met him several times, is saddened by the disappearance of the musician and the resistant.

His passage marks the end of an era.

Death of Johnny Clegg: reactions of the writer and professor Achille Mbembe

17-07-2019 - By Michel Arseneault

During his career, the singer has sold more than 5 million albums. He stopped singing after a long farewell tour, concluded a few months before his death.

He was a pioneer. Today is a sad day for South Africa.

Death of Johnny Clegg: South Africans' reactions in Johannesburg

17-07-2019 - By Noah Hochet-Bodin

►To read: South Africa: 25 years after the end of apartheid, "the road is still long"

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