Yes man, let’s give it up for Johnny Clegg.

One of South Africa’s most popular musical sons will be honoured with the Office of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), awarded by Queen Elizabeth herself later this year. Clegg received the good news earlier this week after a call from the British High Commissioner and was understandably delighted. He spoke to IOL:

It is so nice to receive recognition of this kind from so far away. I am being honoured for my contribution to music and the struggle against apartheid and my work towards the upliftment of women and children in South Africa, I was told.

It really is a highlight in my 35-year career. I’ve been given lots of awards by, among others, the US and France, and they were all great, but this really tops off my career in a very special way.

The only downer is that in order to receive the award Clegg will foot his travel expenses himself, although if his recent philanthropic efforts are anything to go by he has the dosh:

I’m working closely with the TAC and through them I learnt, to my horror, that TB is the biggest killer in our country. I recently donated R100 000 to help fight multidrug-resistant TB and in August I am hoping to help the TAC raise R1 million during a fund-raising drive, to fight the disease.

We salute you Johnny, I’m sure there isn’t a soul amongst us who hasn’t attempted a gumboot solo dance after one too many. Here’s hoping the song below makes your Mondays a touch more bearable.

[source:iol]