South African Playwright Mbongeni Ngema, ‘Sarafina!’ Creator, Dies at 68: Prominent South African playwright, producer, and composer Mbongeni Ngema passed away at 68 following a car collision, as confirmed by his family.
The family disclosed on Wednesday that Ngema tragically lost his life in a frontal car crash while returning from a memorial service in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape. Ngema was a passenger at the time of the accident.
He is widely recognized for his creation “Sarafina!” which debuted on Broadway in 1988. The production transformed into a musical drama featuring Whoopi Goldberg in 1992, achieving global acclaim and earning nominations for both the Tony and Grammy Awards.
“Sarafina!” narrated the tale of a young student who motivated her classmates to challenge racial segregation during the apartheid era in South Africa, especially after her teacher was imprisoned.
The apartheid regime, which spanned from 1948 until the early 1990s, was a structured system that favored the white minority and marginalized non-white communities in South Africa.
Ngema’s notable repertoire encompassed the acclaimed theater piece “Woza Albert,” which premiered in 1981 and garnered over 20 international accolades. This political satire delved into the concept of Jesus Christ’s second coming portrayed as a black man revisiting South Africa.
Numerous tributes honoring the esteemed playwright continue to surface.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa offered heartfelt words about the departed Ngema in an official statement.
Ramaphosa remarked on Thursday, “Through his numerous productions, Ngema instilled resilience and pride in us as South Africans. His works not only captivated audiences within South Africa and the continent but also resonated with millions globally.”
Both South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the prominent leftist party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, expressed their sympathies.
The ANC shared in a statement, “Ngema was a revered playwright, composer, and producer of international acclaim. His passing marks the loss of a true luminary and a distinguished representative of the theatrical world.”
The leftist party characterized him as “beyond merely an artist; he stood as a cultural symbol and a guiding light during challenging periods.”
Zizi Kodwa, the South African Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, expressed on Twitter that Ngema’s departure deeply impacts the nation’s artistic landscape. Kodwa emphasized that Ngema’s creations resonated globally, playing a pivotal role in portraying the narrative of South Africa to audiences worldwide.
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