Publications
Partners
Singer Johnny Clegg says it feels like a dream to be honoured with the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
The OBE – sometimes jokingly referred to as “other buggers’ efforts” – will be bestowed on the British-born musician by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.
Clegg told City Press on Saturday: “I’m really amazed to be awarded an OBE – it really means a lot to me.”
Buckingham Palace released the 2015 Birthday Honours list on Saturday and the British High Commission said it was delighted to announce that Clegg had been honoured with an OBE.
The date on which he is to receive it has yet to be confirmed.
“When I received the call a few weeks ago that I was awarded an OBE, I couldn’t believe it. I sat down and took a moment to let it sink in,” he said, adding that the honour was “remarkable” and he didn’t see it coming.
Clegg said it had been a long journey of more than 30 years from when he first began to experiment with crossover music, and at the same time become a cultural activist in the struggle against apartheid.
British High Commissioner to South Africa Judith Macgregor said the award was in recognition of Clegg’s “unique services to the arts, vulnerable people and children, and to democracy in South Africa”
