Explores Johnny Clegg’s legacy as a South African musician, anthropologist and cultural activist. It examines Clegg’s integration of music, dance and political philosophy as resistance against apartheid, his navigation of transnational cultural politics, and interrogates cultural appropriation and decolonial practice.

This book examines the legacy of Johnny Clegg (1953–2019), the South African musician, anthropologist and cultural activist who reshaped the nation’s musical and political landscape. From his early collaboration with Sipho Mchunu to his global success with Juluka and Savuka, and as a solo artist, Clegg defied apartheid-era censorship while pioneering new forms of cultural activism.

Drawing on archival research and interviews, the authors explore Clegg’s synthesis of music, dance and political philosophy as embodied resistance against apartheid. They analyse his transnational impact, particularly his navigation of the global cultural boycott, and investigate cultural appropriation and decolonial practice through his engagement with Zulu traditions.

Situated within ethnomusicology, anthropology and African studies, this book introduces fresh theoretical approaches to cultural hybridity and postcolonial performance. It positions Clegg’s work within broader debates on race, power and cultural production in the Global South, highlighting his role as both scholar and performer. This volume illuminates how Clegg’s career and activism navigated complex cultural-political landscapes while shaping academic discourse.

'Johnny Clegg: Critical Reflections on his Music and Influence' is published by Wits University Press