30 years in one day

Just over a week before he performs a legendary once-off South African commemorative concert, we meet Johnny Clegg at his record label's office in Johannesburg.

He has a gigantic cup of black coffee in his hands, wears a black T-shirt and khakis. His hair is tousled.

Clegg had just returned from a six-day French and German tour, and was rehearsing what will likely be the most demanding performance of his lifetime.

With 30 years of music to rejoice, The Concert is going to be one helluva show. "This is the first show in my 30 years [of performing] where the entire repertoire from all 18 albums will be included. I won't be talking too much."

The show is only for South Africans, and a once-off. For now, the Johannesburg show is confirmed and others may follow, but depends on sponsorship and the logistics of getting the original Juluka and Savuka band members together.

"I don't think we will be able to get guys together like this again," he said.

"Only two out of the five original members of Juluka are still in music. We lost flautist Scorpion Madondo about a month ago," adds Clegg - Le Zoulou Blanc (the White Zulu) who revolutionised South African music at home and internationally.

Somehow Clegg, along with old friend and first band mate, Sipho Mchunu (who retired from the business to become a farmer in the late 1980s) have squeezed the last three decades into a two-hour spectacular.

"People who have never seen Juluka but know the songs will be able to see the original band for the first, and most likely last, time," Clegg said.

"The guys all jumped at the chance to do it. It is the most wonderful opportunity for us, we've been through a lot."

Clegg has also spent time recalling the days when the band could barely perform together without chancing arrest.

"I've been through footage of years of performances to provide an audio-visual feast. What memories and sentimentality! It will make people think of where they were when each of the songs was released and go down that nostalgic journey with us," he said.

• The Concert at Emmarentia Dam, Johannesburg, will be on November 6.