Sheer Publishing, a division of Downtown Music Servcies and the largest independent pubco in Africa, has inked a global deal with the estate of the late Johnny Clegg to administer his catalogue.

Spanning more than four decades, the South African singer/songwriter’s catalogue includes music from when he began mastering African traditional music, to the formation of Juluka, Savuka and the past 23 years as a solo artist.

Additionally, Sheer will administer Clegg’s royalties for his family, who own the rights.

“Clegg’s music has been one of the biggest cultural exports in our lifetimes,” said Sheer Publishing Founder/Managing Director David Alexander. “We are grateful to be the caretakers of his legacy for a new generation of African music fans.”

“Johnny Clegg is not only one of the greatest South African singer songwriters of recent times but his work as an anti-apartheid activist, plus his support for the indigenous people of South Africa has been instrumental in showing the power of music to create significant change” added DMS Global President Mike Smith.

Hilton Rosenthal, who has looked after Clegg’s Juluka and Savuka publishing since 1979, said “Downtown Music Services has built a great team and technology that will enable us to maximise opportunities for Johnny’s incredible catalogue of works throughout the world.

The Clegg family added, “We look forward to this special collaboration that will celebrate and expand on the great legacy that Johnny Clegg left behind.”