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Mbongeni Ngema, the acclaimed writer of the iconic musical “Sarafina,” depicting student uprisings in apartheid-era Soweto, passed away at the age of 68 in a car crash on Wednesday, as announced by his family. Ngema’s death coincided with the resurgence of the 1992 film, co-developed with the legendary jazz musician Hugh Masekela, which was set to screen at this year’s Cannes Film Festival classic section and receive a streaming release.
The family shared the heartbreaking news in a statement, saying, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved brother, father, husband, and patriot, Mbongeni Ngema.” The statement revealed that Ngema was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a head-on collision while returning from attending a funeral in the Eastern Cape province.
‘Sarafina’ catapulted Ngema to pan-African music stardom, with a stage version having previously run on Broadway in New York for two years, earning nominations for Tony and Grammy awards. The film adaptation starred Leleti Khumalo, who had been part of the stage production and later married Ngema, along with Whoopi Goldberg.
In addition to “Sarafina,” Ngema co-wrote the play “Woza Albert” in 1981 with Percy Mtwa and Barney Simon. Addressing the challenges faced by black people in a white-dominated South Africa, the play toured Europe and North America.
Described as reflecting the spirit of resistance during the apartheid and liberation struggle, Ngema was a multifaceted artist, contributing as an actor, choreographer, composer, and singer. Among his notable songs was the hit “Stimela sa se Zola,” created in collaboration with Masekela.
In 2020, one of Ngema’s ex-wives made allegations of sexual abuse against him in a book.
