THE Barnyard Theatre at Gateway is hosting five intimate performances with Johnny Clegg, from August 25 to 29.  Durban audiences will have a rare opportunity to interact with this South African icon, who is set to receive an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II, as he performs an up-close-and-personal acoustic show.

In the show he will talk about the events in his life, the political history of South Africa and the world at the time that motivated him to write each song. It is a personal journey, which is uplifting, moving and also humorous at times. It will include a selection of his greatest hits, and he will be supported by a three-piece band.

Debbie Davidson, owner of The Barnyard, told theluvvie.com: “I am honoured and extremely proud to have secured Johnny Clegg for five shows.

“This is going to be an experience like no other, as our intimate venue offers an up-close-and-personal performance with undoubtedly one of the greatest music icons this country has produced.

“Over the past four years The Barnyard at Gateway has made a concerted effort to increase the number of South African artists invited to perform with us.  These one-off shows have proved to be enormously well supported which is the reason that we decided at the end of last year to pull out some of the big guns as a treat to our patrons, with eVoid coming back home for a national tour of The Barnyard circuit.”

With a career spanning more than 30 years, Johnny Clegg, one of South Africa’s most prolific musicians and performers, is no stranger to the music industry. His status as one of South Africa’s music greats was formalised on August 28 last year when the Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, honoured Johnny with an award for the contribution he made in the South African Music Industry as a Musician.

On Freedom Day, April 27, 2012, he also received the presidential Ikhamanga Award as part of the National Orders ceremony. The National Orders are the highest honour a citizen can receive for his/her contribution to South Africa.

Over Johnny’s three decade career, he has released two dozen albums and has sold more than five million albums worldwide. He has wowed audiences with his live shows, including performances with Nelson Mandela, and won a number of national and international awards for his music and for his outspoken views on apartheid and migrant workers in South Africa.

He has released two dozen original albums, the most recent of which is Human, in 2010.  In early 2014 he released a new unplugged album from his sold out shows at The Baxter Theatre in September 2013, titled Johnny Clegg Best, Live And Unplugged.

Johnny Clegg is a dancer, anthropologist, singer, songwriter, academic, activist and French knight. Whilst all of these tags are fitting, none of them can accurately describe the energetic, passionate human being who has become one of South Africa’s greatest musical exports. He has campaigned against the injustice of apartheid South Africa and been instrumental in putting the new South Africa on the map as a cultural ambassador. Clegg is an icon of South African music.

During the 30 years he’s been making anthemic hits, Johnny has proved himself to be an outstanding musical ambassador for his country and is known for his energetic stage performances. By combining African music structures with Celtic folk music and international rock sounds, Johnny pioneered a new and unique sound, establishing himself as South Africa’s biggest musical export.

From Europe to the States, from Australia to Potchefstroom, audiences in sold out venues have danced to Cruel, Crazy Beautiful World, Scatterlings of Africa, I Call Your Name, Impi, Great Heart, and African Sky Blue.   

Johnny Clegg is a patron of the Paleontological Scientific Trust (PAST) which is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of Africa’s ancient natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of Africans and humankind in its entirety.

Tickets are R450 and seating will be as for normal shows, with no standing room. The theatre will open at 6.30 pm, the kitchen will close at 7.45 pm, and the show will start at 8.15 pm.  To book phone 031 566 3045 or visit www.barnyard.durban. As usual, audience members will be able to meet Johnny Clegg and get autographs in the foyer after the show where his CDs will be available for purchase.