Composer Mbongeni Ngema’s family reported his death on Wednesday at the age of 68. She is the one who scripted “Sarafina” which was a critically acclaimed musical about student riots in apartheid Soweto.
The 1992 film, which Ngema co-wrote with the late Hugh Masekela, was about to resurface in the form of a screening in the classics section of this year’s Cannes Film Festival and a streaming release until she passed away.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved brother, father, husband and a patriot, Mbongeni Ngema,” a statement from the family said.
Sarafina, the critically acclaimed South African musical, featured Leleti Khumalo.
The statement went on to say that “Ngema was killed in a head-on car accident whilst returning from attending a funeral” in the province of Eastern Cape. In the car, he was riding shotgun.
The song “Sarafina” catapulted Ngema to stardom across Africa. The original production ran for two years on Broadway in New York. It received Tony and Grammy nominations.
Starring alongside Whoopi Goldberg were Leleti Khumalo and Ngema, Khumalo had previously appeared in the theatrical production.
Along with Percy Mtwa and Barney Simon, Ngema wrote the play “Woza Albert” in 1981. The show traveled around North America and Europe, satirizing the situation of Black people in white-dominated South Africa.
His works “reflected the spirit of resistance” during the “apartheid and liberation struggle,” according to his family as said.
In addition to her singing and acting, Ngema was also a choreographer and composer. Of his popular songs, “Stimela sa se Zola” was a collaboration with Masekela.
