Third World Child

Johnny Clegg is one of South Africa's most celebrated sons. He is a singer, a songwriter, a dancer, anthropologist and a musical activist, whose infectious crossover music - a vibrant blend of Western pop and African Zulu rhythms - has exploded onto the international scene and broken through all the barriers in his own country.

Over three decades, Johnny Clegg has sold over five million albums of his brand of crossover music worldwide. He has wowed vast audiences with his audacious live shows and won a number of national and international awards for his music and for his outspoken views on apartheid.

Originally released in 1987, 'Third World Child' was Johnny Clegg's first international album, on which African group, Savuka, accompanied him. The recording features ten rousing, self-penned numbers, including the evergreen "Great Heart" and "Asimbonanga (Mandela)", which was banned by the South African government and has since been adopted as an anthem by many artists. Clegg has performed at all of Nelson Mandela's 46664 Aids Awareness Concerts in South Africa and Norway. Mandela has joined him on stage during the rendition of "Asimbonanga" and at every live performance of this song, the audience, charged with emotion, spontaneously rises to their feet.

'Third World Child' greatly raised the worldwide profile of African music and remains Johnny Clegg's most highly regarded album.