This mixtape is the first in a series of four which celebrates the publication of the book Johnny Clegg: Critical Reflections on His Music and Influence (Wits University Press, October 2025). It is edited by Michael Drewett and Lucilla Spini and includes authors from a cross-spread of disciplines and with a variety of musical interests (Marguerite Coetzee, Michael Drewett, Andrew J Friedland, Andrew Grant Innes, Nicol Hammond, Brett Houston-Lock, Lizabé Lambrechts, Chris Letcher, Sipho Mchunu, Caleb Mutch, Pakama Ncume, Richard Pithouse, Lucilla Spini, and Martina Viljoen).
In contrast to a traditional biography, the book does not follow a linear narrative approach. Instead, each author hones in on specific aspects of Johnny Clegg’s life and work that intrigue them, resulting in a collection of thematic explorations. These chapters offer insights into various dimensions of Johnny Clegg’s life and music, with certain songs and events emerging as particularly pivotal, recurring across different chapters.
Importantly, the volume does not aim to cover every significant facet of Johnny Clegg’s life and career. Rather, it serves as a continuation of discussions and analyses spread across journals, books, newspapers, and magazines over several decades; and as a book project, it constitutes an initial foray into understanding the complexities of his music and legacy.
This mixtape features Johnny Clegg’s music in four different stages of his career: as Jonathan & Sipho, with Juluka, as a solo artist (both before and after the demise of Savuka) and with Savuka. These twelve songs are all mentioned in the book, some more than others, some specifically analysed, and they provide an enjoyable and interesting overview of Johnny Clegg’s career. The Jonathan & Sipho material is from 1977 and 1978, the Juluka songs are from the 1979 to 1983 period, Johnny Clegg’s Third World Child solo album was released in 1985 (the title track is included here), the Savuka songs come from 1987 and 1988, and the final two solo songs (Into The Picture and Faut Pas Baisser Les Bras) were released in 2002 and 2006 respectively.
In the next three mixtapes in this series there will be a wider selection of Johnny Clegg’s music featured, including songs not referred to in the book, and covers and collaborations beyond those with Sipho Mchunu, Juluka, and Savuka. There will also be some songs by other artists referred to in the book. Keep a look out for these, as they will add to your experience of the book (presuming, hopefully, that you will buy a copy and read it!).
- Woza Friday – Jonathan & Sipho
- Ngasala Obala – Jonathan & Sipho
- Asimbonanga (Live) – Jonathan & Sipho
- Universal Men – Juluka
- Siyayilanda – Juluka
- Work For All – Juluka
- Third World Child – Johnny Clegg
- Scatterlings of Africa – Savuka
- Asimbonanga – Savuka
- I Call Your Name – Savuka
- Into The Picture – Johnny Clegg
- Faut Pas Baisser Les Bras – Johnny Clegg
Wonderful. Johnny and Sipho built bridges that Nelson Mandela could walk across. So fitting that his multidimensional legacy is being honored this way. He used his own marginality as a platform to honor and celebrate those made marginal in their own land. He did it by singing their songs and telling their stories.