Mbongeni Ngema, the acclaimed writer of the iconic musical ‘Sarafina’, which depicted student riots during apartheid in Soweto, lost his life in a car crash on Wednesday at the age of 68.
The family confirmed the news, revealing that Ngema was returning from a funeral in Eastern Cape province when the head-on collision occurred.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved brother, father, husband, and patriot, Mbongeni Ngema,” the family expressed in a statement.
News About Nigeria gathered that Ngema was a passenger in the vehicle during the fatal accident.
‘Sarafina’ became a pan-African sensation, bringing Ngema to the forefront of the music scene.
The 1992 movie, co-developed with jazz legend Hugh Masekela, recently gained renewed attention with a screening at this year’s Cannes Film Festival classic section and a subsequent streaming release.
The stage version of ‘Sarafina’ had earlier captivated audiences on Broadway for two years, earning nominations for Tony and Grammy awards.
The film, starring Leleti Khumalo and Whoopi Goldberg, portrayed the struggles of students during the apartheid era.
In addition to ‘Sarafina’, Ngema co-wrote the 1981 play ‘Woza Albert’ with Percy Mtwa and Barney Simon.
The satirical production, offering a critical perspective on the challenges faced by black people in apartheid South Africa, toured Europe and North America.
Ngema’s artistic endeavours extended beyond playwriting, as he contributed as an actor, choreographer, composer, and singer.
His hit songs, including ‘Stimela sa se Zola’, created in collaboration with Masekela, further solidified his musical legacy.
The family noted that Ngema’s works “reflected the spirit of resistance” during the apartheid and liberation struggle.
However, in 2020, one of Ngema’s ex-wives alleged in a book that he had sexually abused her, adding a controversial aspect to the artist’s legacy.
