Savuka
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Founder | Johnny Clegg |
| Defunct | 1994 |
| Headquarters | South Africa |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Savuka, also recognized as Johnny Clegg & Savuka, was a racially diverse South African group established in 1986 by Johnny Clegg following the dissolution of Juluka. Their sound merged traditional Zulu elements with Celtic music and rock genres, resonating with audiences across racial boundaries within South Africa. Their lyrics, delivered in both English and Zulu, frequently tackled political issues surrounding apartheid. Among their prominent tracks are "Asimbonanga" and "Third World Child," featured on the 1987 album Third World Child. The band mourned the loss of percussionist Dudu Zulu, who died in 1992; the song "The Crossing" serves as a tribute to him.
History
Johnny Clegg, born into an English family in Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe), cultivated an early fascination with traditional Zulu music during his youth, receiving instruction from artists such as Mntonganazo Mzila. He subsequently joined forces with Sipho Mchunu, forming the duo known as Juluka, which released the album Universal Men in 1979. As one of South Africa’s pioneering mixed-race bands, Juluka encountered apartheid-era obstacles including state restrictions and police persecution due to their racial integration and politically charged content.
After Mchunu retired from performing in 1985, Clegg founded Savuka in 1986, recruiting several former Juluka members. This racially mixed ensemble consisted of three black South Africans and three white musicians. The name "Savuka" means "Awakening" or "We have arisen" in Zulu. Their 1987 release, Third World Child, surpassed one million copies sold, enabling extensive sold-out tours across France, Canada, and the United States.
Savuka's music, imbued with political messages—most notably the dedication of "Asimbonanga" to anti-apartheid icons such as Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko—provoked government repression including concert raids and arrests. Several of their songs faced bans within South Africa. The band also supported the anti-conscription movement and experienced exclusion from events like the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute due to cultural boycott policies. Nevertheless, Savuka attained considerable international acclaim, especially in France, becoming South Africa’s second highest-selling export band after Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Following the tragic death of Dudu Zulu during a taxi conflict mediation in 1992, Savuka disbanded.
Musical style
Building on influences from Juluka, Savuka’s sound combined pop with Zulu musical traditions and mbaqanga. They integrated Zulu cultural elements with Celtic music and rock influences, emphasizing electronic instrumentation and pronounced rhythmic patterns more than their predecessor band. By their third album, Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World, their style evolved toward mainstream Western genres such as funk, drawing inspiration from artists like The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, alongside politically infused music reminiscent of Sting. The 1987 track Asimbonanga typified a post-1976 Soweto uprising South African movement blending socially conscious lyrics with upbeat dance rhythms often labeled as "township jive," "township soul," or "bubblegum." Their repertoire frequently featured bilingual lyrics. In 1988, The Washington Post characterized their work as featuring "supple polyrhythms and bilingual, politically charged songs." The Crisis magazine highlighted their combination of instrumentation, tempo, and vocals; some compositions invited dancing while others conveyed poignant political messages. During live performances, Clegg often shared brief cultural or historical anecdotes about Zulu traditions, enhancing the band's onstage presence.
Selected discography
Albums
- 1987: Third World Child
- 1988: Shadow Man (Peaked at #31 in Canada)
- 1989: Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World (Reached #67 in Canada)
- 1993: Heat, Dust and Dreams
Tracks
- "Asimbonanga"
- "Third World Child"
- "The Crossing"
- "Dela"
- "Cruel Crazy Beautiful World"
- "Scatterlings of Africa"
Band members
- Johnny Clegg – vocals, guitar, concertina (1986–1994; passed away 2019)
- Steve Mavuso – keyboards, vocals (1986–1994)
- Keith Hutchinson – saxophone, keyboards, vocals (1986–1994)
- Derek de Beer – drums (1986–1994)
- Mandisa Dlanga – vocals (1986–1994)
- Dudu Zulu – percussion, vocals (1986–1992; deceased 1992)
- Jabu Mavuso – bass guitar (1986–1987)
- Solly Letwaba – bass guitar (1987–1994; died 2001)
- Andy Innes – guitar, mandolin, vocals (1992–1994)