Renowned South African artist, playwright, and choreographer, Mbongeni Ngema, has tragically lost his life in a car accident near Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape. The incident occurred on Wednesday night as he was returning from a funeral.
Born in 1955 in Verulam, just north of Durban, Ngema initially worked as a manual laborer and guitarist before venturing into theater in the 1970s. His artistic journey took an unexpected turn when he co-wrote the satirical play “Woza Albert” in 1981, followed by the musical “Asinamali” two years later. Both productions earned acclaim in the United States, setting the stage for the monumental success of “Sarafina” in 1987—a poignant portrayal of the 1976 Soweto uprising.
Ngema’s contributions to the arts earned him a Tony Award nomination in 1987 for Best Director (Asinamali), followed by three more nominations for Best Director, Best Score, and Best Choreographer for “Sarafina,” along with a Grammy nomination.
His versatile talents extended to the film adaptation of “Sarafina” and the choir direction for the animated feature, “The Lion King.”
In 1998, Ngema was honored with induction into the New York Hall of Fame, solidifying his status as one of the esteemed writers of the 21st century. He also produced several music albums, including “Township Fever,” “Laduma,” “Woza My Fohloza,” and “Jive Madlokovu,” featuring the renowned “Stimela Sase Zola.”
Acknowledged for his lifetime achievements, Ngema received the Naledi Theatre Awards’ lifetime achievement honor in 2014. His family emphasizes that he will be remembered as a notable artist whose work embodied the spirit of resistance during the liberation struggle.