The late Mbongeni Ngema
By Kopano Dibakwane
Legendary playwright, musician, choreographer and actor, Mbongeni Ngema(68), has sadly passed away following a reported car accident that occured near Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape, on Wednesday night of 27 December.
Ngema was reportedly returning home from a funeral when the car he was traveling in was involved in a head-on collision with a truck and he was pronounced dead at the Adelaide and O.R Tambo memorial Hospital as a result of his severe injuries.
Ngema will be fondly remembered for his 1992 multi-award winning blockbuster movie Sarafina, which featured renowned American actress Whoopi Goldberg and also provided the platform for South African entertainers such as Somizi Mhlongo, Khanyo Maphumulo and Ngema’s ex-wife Leleti Khumalo. His other groundbreaking stage productions include Woza Albert.
He carved a legendary presence in the music industry with a classic hit titled, “Stimela sase Zola”, amongst other hits.
Speaking during a television interview following Ngema’s passing, his brother Nhlanhla Ngema said the funeral arrangements will be announced to the public as soon as the family meets and decides on the way forward.
