JOHNNY Clegg and his band will go ahead with their sold-out concert in East London tonight despite losing one of their members over the weekend.
Backing vocalist Bongani Masuku was shot and killed during a robbery in Troyville, Johannesburg on Saturday night.
Police Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale said four men approached Masuku as he was parking his car in central Johannesburg and demanded a cellphone and his car keys at gunpoint.
A struggle ensued and one of the men shot Masuku several times before fleeing.
“The deceased then managed to drive himself to a nearby fire station where he collapsed and died,” Mogale said.
Clegg said on his website: “It is with shock, anger and deep felt sadness that we mourn the violent killing last night of our beloved Bongani Masuku, our long-standing and dedicated backing vocalist.
“Bongani first worked with Johnny Clegg and Savuka in 1992, and continued with the Johnny Clegg Band until the present time. He was a stalwart performer and hardworking musician and good friend.
“We will miss him deeply and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and all who knew him.”
Clegg’s manager Roddy Quin said Masuku would have wanted the band to go ahead with their concerts. “We will replace Bongani’s part, the show will be the same unfortunate that he couldn’t be with us,” he said.
Quin said they were saddened by Masuku’s passing but would not allow that to affect the shows.
Masuku is the second member of Clegg’s band to have died violently: Dudu Zulu, a close friend and percussionist in his first group Savuka, was shot dead in KwaZulu-Natal in 1992. Clegg later dedicated the song The Crossing to him.
Clegg, who recently returned from US tour, will perform at his live and unplugged concert tonight and tomorrow night at The Venue@Hemingways.
On Thursday night to Saturday they will perform at the Opera House in Port Elizabeth. After Port Elizabeth they take the show to Plettenberg Bay and George.
In June Clegg is scheduled to perform in KwaZulu-Natal. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za and AFP
Clegg goes ahead with EL show after losing member
Backing vocalist Bongani Masuku was shot and killed during a robbery in Troyville, Johannesburg on Saturday night.
Police Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale said four men approached Masuku as he was parking his car in central Johannesburg and demanded a cellphone and his car keys at gunpoint.
A struggle ensued and one of the men shot Masuku several times before fleeing.
“The deceased then managed to drive himself to a nearby fire station where he collapsed and died,” Mogale said.
Clegg said on his website: “It is with shock, anger and deep felt sadness that we mourn the violent killing last night of our beloved Bongani Masuku, our long-standing and dedicated backing vocalist.
“Bongani first worked with Johnny Clegg and Savuka in 1992, and continued with the Johnny Clegg Band until the present time. He was a stalwart performer and hardworking musician and good friend.
“We will miss him deeply and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and all who knew him.”
Clegg’s manager Roddy Quin said Masuku would have wanted the band to go ahead with their concerts. “We will replace Bongani’s part, the show will be the same unfortunate that he couldn’t be with us,” he said.
Quin said they were saddened by Masuku’s passing but would not allow that to affect the shows.
Masuku is the second member of Clegg’s band to have died violently: Dudu Zulu, a close friend and percussionist in his first group Savuka, was shot dead in KwaZulu-Natal in 1992. Clegg later dedicated the song The Crossing to him.
Clegg, who recently returned from US tour, will perform at his live and unplugged concert tonight and tomorrow night at The Venue@Hemingways.
On Thursday night to Saturday they will perform at the Opera House in Port Elizabeth. After Port Elizabeth they take the show to Plettenberg Bay and George.
In June Clegg is scheduled to perform in KwaZulu-Natal. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za and AFP
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