Don Clarke (born 1955 in Johannesburg) is a South African singer-songwriter, also known as The Songteller. Clarke is notable for his music contribution to South African culture with songs that celebrate South African sport (Kick It Up), tell the story of heroes and support social issues (Zuma Must Fall).
His large music contribution to the South African film industry, including most of the Leon Schuster's films.
One of his early songwriting credits, Sanbonani, was a national hit record for P J Powers in 1986. The Long Walk is Over, an ode to Nelson Mandela (co-written with Kalla Bremer) won the Grand Prize in the Great American Song Contest in 2013, now part of the memorial collection held at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory Repository.
Promoting conservation in South Africa. Don is known for his sometimes controversial views on issues like poaching, hunting and politics. His music has been used by non-profits and in projects by John Varty, the conservationist.
Convening the Legends stage at South Africa's longest-running annual music festival, Splashy Fen.
Bio
Early life
Born in Johannesburg in 1955, Don Clarke grew up in Westville, outside Durban in Kwa-Zulu Natal. He learnt to play the guitar and wrote song lyrics from childhood. He started high school at Hilton College in 1969, but completed his education at Westville Boys' High. On leaving school, he earned income writing adverting jingles.
Personal life
Don set up a music studio in Westville in 1979, and befriended a teenage Roy Ndlovu who ran errands. Roy died under strange circumstances in 1981. The song, Slowboats documents the story, with information provided by the artist.
He married business partner Denise Britz, dance choreographer known for the floorshow cabarets and supper club theatre at Durban's Ruby Tuesday, Millionaire's and The Wild Coast Sun. Don Clarke contributed original, often humorous songs to her risque dance routines. One, Jingle Bells- is seasonal uptake which has been updated over the years.
Don Clarke married Wendy Stacey in August, 2010. The couple live in Howick, in the KZN Midlands of South Africa. Wendy is a founding member of the Drakondale Girls' Choir School. The choir feature regularly in Don Clarke's recent music, notably on Till You're Free Again, the song written for the 2018 Leon Schuster film, Frank and Fearless. The film and the song both draw attention to the illegal trade in rhino horn.
Interests and Projects
Don Clarke writes, records and produces music from his home studio in Howick. He is a conservationist, columnist for the Drakonteur, and supports local music. He and Dicky Roberts have convened the Legends of the Fen stage at Splashy Fen (South Africa's longest running music festival) since 2016. The initiative has seen South African legends like Steve Fataar, Brian Finch and PJ Powers return to the festival over recent years. He has recently finished writing his first book, Once Upon a Crutchmullet.He produces music through his studio, Monkeyshine Music, and is making a name for himself as a painter.
Activism
Conservation
Don Clarke is public about his anti-hunting stance. He has a Facebook page called The Trophy Room and added his Mission Statement to his video channel under the song, Voortrekker Weep, dedicated to John Varty, South Africa's best known conservationist and wildlife film maker. The song protests the 2019 shooting of an iconic elephant in Namibia. John Varty credited Don Clarke with the music to his song, The Messiah - Greta Thunberg. It's performed by Don Clarke and Ru Nyathi and supports the controversial activist. The Clarke catalogue includes many songs that protest ecological issues, including You're Not Alone, another Varty dedication, and Roaring. In 2018, a rhino charity used Till You're Free Again without charge for promotional purposes.
Politics
Sanbonani was an anti-apartheid reconciliation song in 1986. Clarke has continuously spoken out publicly against corruption and inefficiency in the government through his column, vlogs and songs. EFF support for land expropriation triggered an Open Letter to Julius Malema, Clarke responded to the government lockdown measures with a series of Vlogs expressing his complaints and songs like Zuma Must Fall went viral after it was adopted by marching protesters. Mr Ramaphoza asks the new president not to "sell a lie for votes."