Johnny Clegg's son remembers him on his birthday
"I miss your big smile."
Jesse Clegg had a special message for his father, Johnny Clegg, on what would have been his 70th birthday.
The South African music legend died in July 2019 - four years after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 66.
Jesse says he misses the 'Great Heart' hitmaker every day.
"Happy birthday, Dad. I miss your big smile and how we would always laugh together, even in dark times,” he wrote in his birthday post.
The 34-year-old is a singer-songwriter just like his dad. Not only did Jesse perform on stage with Johnny on several occasions, but they also recorded music together.
Jesse wrote a song for his father called, 'I've Been Looking', in 2017. They performed the song onstage during one of his shows.
To the world, Johnny was an icon - 'The White Zulu' who used his music to fight against the injustices of apartheid.
But to his family, he was more than just a music superstar.
“You had faith in the mystery and wonder of life and you remind me to always wink back at the universe as it reveals itself. Thank you for teaching me courage and acceptance. Love you always and miss you every day," Jesse concluded his birthday post.
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The past few years have been tough for Jesse. Not only did he lose his father, but his wife Dani Cooperman also lost her battle with cancer in 2022.
Dani was diagnosed with cancer in 2021. Jesse said she "fought with incredible courage and grace until the end".
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Jesse and Dani welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Mylah, in March 2021.
"It brings @danibcoops and me profound joy to announce that the Clegg Family has gotten a little bigger. Our girl was born on March 2nd and her name is Mylah Thandolwethu Clegg. Please help us welcome her into this cruel, crazy, beautiful world," he wrote.
The last words of his post are a reference to Johnny's song, 'Cruel Crazy Beautiful World'. He wrote the song for Jesse.
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Johnny and his wife Jenny have another son named Jaron. Like Jesse, Jaron also got to work with his dad.
The filmmaker directed the music video for Johnny's song, 'Take My Heart Away'.
"It was quite an emotional project for me - making a film for my dad. I treated it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and pushed really hard to bring the script to life. I put a lot of pressure on myself to create something I could be proud of," he said in 2016.
Jaron revealed in a 2022 birthday post dedicated to his father that his granddaughter has his dance moves.
"Happy birthday, Dad. Thank you for giving us the spirit to brave the cruel, crazy and beautiful. Wish you were here to see your beautiful granddaughter dance - she's got your moves and your smile. Love you always," he wrote.
ALSO READ: Jesse & Jaron Clegg: "He always created a special place in his life for family"
Main image credit: Instagram/jesseclegg
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