Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Legendary playwright, theatre director and musician Mbongeni Ngema’s legacy may be complex, but in the theatre world, his musical genius has been at the forefront of reportage since the news of his tragic death on Wednesday evening.
The Sarafina! creator was killed in a head-on collision in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape while returning from a funeral.
According to his brother Nhlanhla, who spoke to eNCA’s Thami Ngubeni, the 68-year-old was the most injured of three occupants in the vehicle he was travelling in.
“The Ngema family, colleagues and friends are deeply devastated about Ngema’s passing. The family will share further details about the funeral arrangements in due course,” a statement issued by the family read.
While paying his tribute, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa said South Africa had lost one of its greatest playwrights.
“At a critical time in the liberation struggle against apartheid, Dr Ngema took the plays Woza Albert!, Asinamali, and Sarafina! to international stages. These productions not only showcased South African talent but also narrated to the world the experiences of South Africans who were ostracised and brutalised under apartheid,” Kodwa said in a statement.
Born in KwaZulu-Natal, Ngema started his career as a backing guitarist before gaining fame for his plays.
Here are the top 10 songs from his catalogue:
Stimela saseZola
The song from his album Jive Madlokovu became the soundtrack to many weddings and festival outings, although a few may have butchered the lyrics and some recently discovered that the stove mentioned in the song is the coal stove that’s etched in the memory of the many who grew up around the warmth of the Welcome Dover woodstove.
Woza My Fohloza
The Lord’s Prayer
Sabela
Safa Saphela Isizwe
Madlokovu
Bring Back Nelson Mandela
Siwiliwili
Libuyile
Ngobamakhosi
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