A life-sized, bronze statue of the late legend Johnny Clegg has joined the likes of Nelson Mandela and OR Tambo in the Long March to Freedom exhibition!
Cape Town, South Africa (28 March 2025) — The Long March to Freedom’s heroes in bronze have welcomed another legend to join them in their immortalised march: the late Johnny Clegg.
Clegg’s life-sized, bronze statue was unveiled yesterday, 27 March, at the Century City landmark and the world’s greatest exhibition in bronze.
Here, Clegg’s statue took its rightful place in South Africa’s history and the story of our fight for democracy.
What is the Long March to Freedom?
The Long March to Freedom is a unique and monumental procession of life-size bronze statues, each of which depicts freedom fighters who never gave up the idea of a liberated South Africa. It tells a story of South Africa that spans 350 years; boasting the company of everyone from Khoi leaders who ruled hundreds of years ago, proud Zulu and Xhosa kings and those who led South Africa to light during our fiercest fight for freedom including Nelson and Winnie Mandela, Beyers Naude, Albert Luthuli, OR Tambo and now, Johnny Clegg.
Johnny Clegg’s Role as an Activist
Many know the artist for his music, but Clegg was far more than a talented songster. Born in England in 1953 and raised in South Africa, Clegg became deeply involved in Zulu culture. As a young man, he defied apartheid and the separation it stood for by forming multi-racial bands like Savuka and Juluka. This defiance was not taken lightly by the apartheid regime, which inflicted deep censorship.
However, Clegg’s voice couldn’t be silenced. His songs, Asimbonanga and Scatterings of Africa, boomed as anthems of unity and still give fans goosebumps to this day.
Beyond the music, Clegg was an unapologetic advocate for social justice. He used his success to challenge the government and promote racial reconciliation, and lived long into the days of a democratic South Africa.
The legend passed away in 2019, passing the baton on to a new generation of changemakers.
“Including Johnny Clegg in Long March to Freedom is a tribute to the social transformation artists can generate through their work” says Dali Tambo, CEO of the National Heritage Project NPC, developers, owners, and operators of the Long March to Freedom.
“Johnny was an exceptional individual; known as the ‘White Zulu’ he bridged cultures with his music, he used it as a weapon of resistance, he challenged injustice, and proved that music transcends all divides. His music was a rallying cry and a message of unity, resistance and hope during some of South Africa’s darkest days. Johnny’s spirit lives on today, not just in the music he created, but in the hearts of those he inspired.”
The sculpture was created by Cape Town artists Barry Jackson and Xhanti Mpakama and was cast by Loup Fine Art Foundry in White River, Mpumalanga.
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