Savuka

Savuka
Johnny Clegg & Savuka, 1993. L-R: Derek De Beer, Mandisa Dlanga, Solly Letwamba, Johnny Clegg, Steve Mavuso, Keith Hutchinson
Background information
Origin	Johannesburg, South Africa
Genres	World music, afro pop, rock, zulu, maskanda, mbaqanga
Years active	1986–1994
Labels	EMI, Capitol
Associated acts	Juluka
Past members	Mandisa Dlanga Johnny Clegg Steve Mavuso Keith Hutchinson Solly Letwaba Derek de Beer Andy Innes Dudu Zulu

Savuka was a band formed in 1986 by English-born South African Johnny Clegg after the disbanding of his first band, Juluka. Both of his bands were inter-racial in the racially segregated Apartheid South Africa. Savuka followed more of a Western pop rock style blended with Clegg's familiar, distinctive Zulu musical stylings, creating a unique sound that was something of a major departure from the old, more traditional Zulu sound of Juluka.

They had a UK #75 hit in 1986 with a new version of the earlier Juluka hit "Scatterlings of Africa".

Some better-known Savuka songs include "Asimbonanga", "Third World Child", "The Crossing", "Dela", and "Cruel Crazy Beautiful World".

Percussionist Dudu Zulu was killed in 1992. "The Crossing" was a tribute to him.

Discography

Albums

• 1987: Third World Child
• 1988: Shadow Man
• 1989: Cruel, Crazy Beautiful World
• 1993: Heat, Dust And Dreams

Others

• 1991: Scatterlings of Africa (re-recording by Savuka)
• 2002: My African Dream - The Best of Johnny Clegg & Savuka (mainly compilation, but includes some previously unreleased tracks)

Singles

• "Asimbonanga"
• "Third World Child"
• "The Crossing"
• "Dela"
• "Cruel Crazy Beautiful World"

Members

• Mandisa Dlanga - vocals (b. South Africa)
• Johnny Clegg - guitar, vocals (b. 31 October 1953, Bacup, England)
• Steve Mavuso - keyboards, vocals (b. South Africa)
• Keith Hutchinson - saxophone, keyboards, vocals (b. South Africa)
• Solly Letwaba - bass (b. South Africa)
• Derek de Beer - drums (b. 1954, Johannesburg, South Africa)
• Andy Innes - guitar, mandolin, vocals (joined 1992), (b. 1968, Salford, England). Went on to perform function of Music Director for the reformed Juluka and subsequently the Johnny Clegg Band.^[1][2]
• Dudu Zulu - percussion, vocals (born Mntowaziwayo Ndlovu, 25 December 1957, South Africa; died 4 May 1992, Johannesburg)

References