Savuka (based on the Zulu word for ‘we have arisen’) was formed by English-born South African songwriter Johnny Clegg after the break-up of Juluka, a band based around his musical partnership with Sipho Mchunu.

Clegg and Savuka performed to both black and white audiences, and mixed Zulu influences into songs that brought international success. Clegg, who spoke fluent Zulu and was adept at Zulu dancing; was known as the “white Zulu”. With Savuka he combined influences from Western rock and pop with Zulu guitar, music from Zimbabwe and Zaire and Latin American rhythms to create a powerful international political sound.

Their most celebrated songs include Clegg’s moving tribute to Nelson Mandela (who was still in jail at the time), ‘Asimbonanga (Mandela)’, which was covered in 1987 by Joan Baez, Clegg’s anthem ‘Scatterlings Of Africa’, also recorded earlier with Juluka, ‘Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World’ written for Clegg’s newborn son Jesse, and ‘One (Hu)man One Vote’, written in honour of Clegg’s friend David Webster, an anti-Apartheid activist who’d been assassinated.

Savuka split after their fourth album 'Heat, Dust and Dreams' when backing vocalist, dancer and percussionist Dudu "Zulu" Ndlovu was murdered. The song ‘The Crossing (Osiyeza)’ is dedicated to him.