Johnny Clegg, born on June 7, 1953, in Bacup, near Rochdale, England, and passing on July 16, 2019, in Johannesburg, South Africa, was a renowned South African musician, singer-songwriter, dancer, anthropologist, and anti-apartheid activist. Known as the "White Zulu," Clegg's innovative musical collaborations in the late 20th century were a powerful statement against apartheid, blending Western pop with African Zulu rhythms.

Raised in southern Africa, Clegg moved to Johannesburg, where his stepfather, an anti-apartheid journalist, and his mother, a cabaret singer, influenced his liberal and musical upbringing. He studied anthropology at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he cultivated his interest in the arts and Zulu culture. Clegg formed a significant partnership with Sipho Mchunu, a Zulu musician, leading to the creation of the band Juluka in 1979. Their music, a fusion of Zulu and European traditions, was a bold political statement during apartheid, gaining international acclaim despite South African radio bans.

In 1985, after Mchunu returned to his homeland, Clegg formed Savuka, further blending Western genres with African music. Clegg's work was characterized by its resistance to apartheid, and he became a subject of investigation by the South African Police. Throughout his career, Clegg sold over five million albums worldwide and received numerous awards for his music and activism, leaving a lasting impact on South African culture and the global music scene.