South Africa’s Johnny Clegg Honoured by Queen Elizabeth II
South Africa’s legendary Johnny Clegg has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The popular South African performer described the news as a “tremendous moment”. The 62-year-old said this award re-energises his dreams and commitments to South Africa in a “very special way”. The British High Commission in Pretoria announced […]
South Africa’s legendary Johnny Clegg has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth II with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The popular South African performer described the news as a “tremendous moment”.
The 62-year-old said this award re-energises his dreams and commitments to South Africa in a “very special way”.
The British High Commission in Pretoria announced the news earlier today in a statement saying “Buckingham Palace has released the 2015 Birthday Honours list and the British High Commission is delighted to announce that South African artist, activist and philanthropist Johnny Clegg has been honoured with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).”
British-born Clegg posted a message on Facebook saying: “It’s a tremendous moment for me to receive this honour and acknowledgement expressed in this award.
“It has been a long journey of more than 30 years, from when I first began to experiment with truly South African cross-over music, and at the same time becoming a cultural activist in the struggle against apartheid.
“Our music was banned or restricted on national radio, as well as shows being closed down from time to time by apartheid’s security police; we were faced with many obstacles that we had to contend with.
“Having worked with The End Conscription Campaign, the Trade Union Movement and the Free the Children in Detention Campaign, resisting forced removals of rural communities, fund raising for the United Democratic Front amoungst other progressive causes, this award re-energises those dreams and commitments in a very special way.”
British High Commissioner to South Africa, Judith Macgregor, said: “This is a recognition of Johnny’s unique services to the Arts, vulnerable people and children and to democracy in South Africa. I am particularly pleased that we are able to celebrate his achievements of the past three decades.
“We continue to work with Johnny and others to ensure that the positive change that they have secured will continue to have long-lasting impact on generations to come.”
Clegg has had an impact on South Africans of all shades and ages for over three decades. On his birthday just last week (7 June) Marguerite Nokuthula de Villiers, photographer of the photos on this page, paid tribute to him saying: “In 1999 my Grade 3 teacher told our class about the ‘White Zulu’. We were in a small, English private school in Johannesburg. The idea of a white man speaking isiZulu fascinated me. I wanted to be like him. It is because of his cross-over music, passionate performances, and anthropological insight into what it means to be South African, that he is a valuable role model.”
Congratulations Johnny Clegg!!