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Cape Town - South African music legend Johnny Clegg has died after a four year battle with pancreatic cancer.
The 66-year-old died at his family home on Wednesday in Johannesburg.
READ MORE: South African music legend Johnny Clegg (66) dies
Fans and industry friends took to social media to mourn and pay tribute to the singer.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa lead the tributes on Twitter: "A towering giant has fallen with the passing of legendary Singer-songwriter & Anthropologist Johnny Clegg. Our hearts are sore & as he famously sang in Asimbonanga "oh the sea is cold & the sky is grey" as we contend with the loss of a torchbearer of our struggle for freedom."
A towering giant has fallen with the passing of legendary Singer-songwriter & Anthropologist Johnny Clegg. Our hearts are sore & as he famously sang in Asimbonanga "oh the sea is cold & the sky is grey" as we contend with the loss of a torchbearer of our struggle for freedom. pic.twitter.com/35RGuWGn02
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) July 16, 2019
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So so sad. A man whose deep love of music, people, history, of country made him unforgettable. A great storyteller. Truly an all round great human being....above all else. RIP Ntate #JohnnyClegg https://t.co/7hktjsPM4W
— Azania (@Azania_) July 16, 2019
Today South Africa lost another #legend. I feel privileged and honoured to have been a part of your #foundation & the amazing work you have done. You leave behind a #legacy. You will be missed. RIP #johnnyclegg pic.twitter.com/OAuYKudu4M
— Jack Parow (@JackParow) July 16, 2019
In a world that’s often divisive, myopic & unkind, there are good people who make an effort to know the other person. Respecting their culture & traditions #JohnnyClegg did that in an Apartheid & Free South Africa. They called him a “white Zulu” because Africa was in his soul RIP pic.twitter.com/DstKiP54p7
— Lerato Mbele (@Mbele_Roberts) July 16, 2019
The news of #JohnnyClegg having died is just shocking. A full life but gone too soon. RIP
— Ian Bredenkamp (@IanBredenkamp) July 16, 2019
#HambeKahle #JohnnyClegg
— DeviSankareeGovender (@Devi_HQ) July 16, 2019
1953 - 2019
This picture taken two years ago during this #SouthAfrican #icon's final tour #2017
Always a joy to interview
Always wise
Never forgotten
The music will live on#Legend#BraveHeart pic.twitter.com/VDL0k3BfO4
Heartbroken - so so sad #RIPJohnnyClegg
— Hotstix (@siphohotstix) July 16, 2019
Profoundly heartbreaking to receive the news of the untimely passing of music icon and anti-apartheid activist Johnny Clegg #RIPJohnnyClegg pic.twitter.com/AADBnYvl5x
— Prof Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) July 16, 2019
Oh the sea is cold and the sky is grey
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) July 16, 2019
Look across the island into the bay
We are all islands till comes the day
We cross the burning water
Asimbonanga... #RIPJohnnyClegg pic.twitter.com/7Gd63FWqth
Rest in Power sir!!! A true legend ?? #RIPJohnnyClegg pic.twitter.com/sSBWGpKhYZ
— Chad Saaiman (@ChadSaaiman) July 16, 2019
Go well fellow countryman, you hated apartheid with a passion and took a stand to be on the side of the oppressed and dispossessed #RIPJohnnyClegg pic.twitter.com/lepqvWF1Nl
— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) July 16, 2019
Condolences to Family and Friends of
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) July 16, 2019
Johnny Clegg -one of South Africa’s most celebrated sons. He was a singer, a songwriter, a dancer, anthropologist whose infectious crossover music exploded onto the international scene and contributed towards social cohesion #RIPJohnnyClegg pic.twitter.com/NpyQeZ2E4X
He was such a wonderful man and musician ?????? #restinpeace #RIPJohnnyClegg https://t.co/UlbGgZ7Fq5
— IG: melzinbala (@MelBala) July 16, 2019
Thankyou for your beautiful music that became part of my DNA. #RIPJohnnyClegg pic.twitter.com/GGT78KbvRw
— Arno Carstens (@ArnoCarstens) July 16, 2019
#RIPJohnnyClegg pic.twitter.com/fX9aqP5B2d
— Terry Pheto (@TerryPheto) July 16, 2019
MODIMO!!! ?????? SA musician Johnny clegg has died | eNCA https://t.co/lhTgzRi5BD
— DJ Fresh (Big Dawg) (@DJFreshSA) July 16, 2019
Thank you for the music.?? #RIPJohnnyClegg
— Maps Maponyane (@MapsMaponyane) July 16, 2019
This really hurts.
— Alex Jay (@AlexJayZA) July 16, 2019
Hamba kahle, Johnny.
May your crossing be smooth. #RIPJohnnyClegg
RIP Johnny Clegg. Your legacy will live for generations. pic.twitter.com/P9LgzWjqm7
— Mark Pilgrim (@MarkPilgrimZA) July 16, 2019
Johnny Clegg was an anthropologist and cultural legend who transcended race to shine a bright ray of light and hope from apartheid South Africa. Condolences to family. Thank you for sharing Johnny with us. pic.twitter.com/Z0GRReYJEp
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 16, 2019
