Johnny Clegg: a shadow man

Abstract

Johnny Clegg has been given many labels — White Zulu, academic, activist, performer. In the context of apartheid South Africa, his deliberate interaction with Zulu-speaking migrant workers and street musicians in Johannesburg helped shape his performance style. His training in anthropology at the University of the Witwatersrand provided an interpretative framework with which he could further share this knowledge and experiences with an audience. This paper is based on a conversation with Clegg on January 26, 2016, regarding his role as an anthropologist and musician in South Africa, as well as his perspective on the role that anthropology plays today.