WATCH | More than just music! Here's why Mzansi loved Johnny Clegg

17 July 2019 - 06:00 By CHRIZELDA KEKANA
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South African music icon Johnny Clegg died on July 16 2019. Referred to as the 'white Zulu', the singer-songwriter died from pancreatic cancer.

The nation's love for veteran singer Johnny Clegg ran deeper than just a fascination over a white man behind great Zulu hits such as Impi and Asimbonanga. Clegg's love for the Zulu culture and his fiery passion for music is what resonated with people from all walks of life. 

Clegg's family confirmed to TshisaLIVE on Tuesday night that the Impi hitmaker had died.

His manager of 30 years, Roddy Quin, said that Clegg died "with his family at home" on Tuesday afternoon. He also confirmed that the singer-songwriter's death was linked to his pancreatic cancer, which first occurred in 2015.

Clegg's authenticity made him stick out, particularly when he became a force to be reckoned within the music industry. He had taken it upon himself to not only learn about the Zulu culture and people, but to totally submerge himself and live as one of the people he obviously adored.

That love and experience was evident in his music and proceeded to catapult him to global fame.

Here are some of his most popular hits!

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