DER SÜDAFRIKANISCHE AUTOR UND KOMPONIST MBONGENI NGEMA IST GESTORBEN

28.12.2023 Der am 10. Mai 1955 in Verulam (KwaZulu-Natal) geborene südafrikanische Autor, Lyriker, Musiker, Komponist, Regisseur, Choreograf und Theaterproduzent Mbongeni Ngema (Bild) ist am 27. Dezember 2023 bei einem Autounfall gestorben. International bekannt wurde er insbesondere durch das vielfach preisgekrönte Musical "Sarafina!" und das Stück "Woza Albert!". Ngema hatte das Musical "Sarafina!" gemeinsam mit dem Jazz-Musiker Hugh Masekela geschaffen. Es lief zwei Jahre lang am New Yorker Broadway und wurde 1992 verfilmt: mit Leleti Khumalo in der Hauptrolle sowie mit Miriam Makeba und Whoopi Goldberg.

Bild: Mbongeni Ngema, © King David Studio, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnmRVmpMOQA

Mbongeni Ngema described as a 'gift' who changed lives of many aspiring artists

Friends and colleagues of the late Mbongeni Ngema on Thursday shared some of their fondest memories of the musician and playwright.

Ngema died in a car crash on Wednesday afternoon while travelling to KwaZulu-Natal from a funeral in the Eastern Cape.

He is being remembered as "a gift" who changed the lives of many young and aspiring actors through a wide range of his activist films.

Alpha Ramushwana

https://ewn.co.za/2023/12/28/mbongeni-ngema-described-as-a-gift-who-changed-lives-of-many-aspiring-artists

Tributes pour in for Mbongeni Ngema

The 68-year-old Stimela Sase Zola hitmaker died on Wednesday, 27 December while returning from a funeral in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape.

When the news broke, industry colleagues, institutions and politicians have been sending messages of condolences and love to his family.

Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa said the country has lost one of its biggest talents.

Andiswa Ngenyane

https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/celebs/politicians-colleagues-and-institutions-pay-tribute-to-mbongeni-ngema-20231228

Veteran playwright and showbiz icon Mbongeni Ngema dies in car crash

Born in 1955 in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, Ngema started his career as a theatre backing guitarist. He wrote the musical Sarafina! and co-wrote Woza Albert!, both of which won numerous awards.

Ngema also became a household name for writing hit songs, including Stimela sa se Zola.

The 1992 hit movie Sarafina! was a musical drama based on Ngema's 1987 musical of the same name. The film was co-written by Ngema and starred Hollywood actress Whoopi Goldberg and Leleti Khumalo.

Joy Mphande

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-12-28-veteran-playwright-and-showbiz-icon-mbongeni-ngema-dies-in-car-crash/

President Cyril Ramaphosa led tributes to the playwright, composer and theatrical director

Ngema's "masterfully creative narration of our liberation struggle honoured the humanity of oppressed South Africans" and "exposed the inhumanity" of the apartheid regime, the South African leader said.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/sasa/entertainment/2023-12-28-sarafina-scriptwriter-mbongeni-ngema-killed-in-car-crash/

Mbongeni Ngema, Renowned South African Playwright and Creator of ‘Sarafina!,’ Dies at 68

The musical was adapted into a musical drama starring Whoopi Goldberg in 1992, becoming an international success.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/mbongeni-ngema-dead-south-african-sarafina-playwright-1235775883/

Mbongeni Ngema Dies: ‘Sarafina!’ Creator & ‘The Lion King’ Vocal Arranger Killed In Car Crash

Ngema is best known for creating the musical Sarafina!, which premiered on Broadway in 1988 and was later adapted into a vehicle for Goldberg in 1992.

It told the story of a young student’s fight against racial segregation in apartheid South Africa after her teacher was jailed.

Jake Kanter

https://deadline.com/2023/12/mbongeni-ngema-dead-sarafina-creator-car-crash-1235682622/

Berühmter Komponist Mbongeni Ngema bei Autounfall gestorben

"Sarafina!" über einen Schüleraufstand in Soweto während der Apartheid machte Ngema, der das Stück gemeinsam mit dem legendären Jazz-Musiker Hugh Masekela entwickelt hatte, international berühmt. Das Musical lief zwei Jahre lang unter anderem am New Yorker Broadway und wurde 1992 mit Leleti Khumalo in der Hauptrolle sowie mit Miriam Makeba und Whoopi Goldberg verfilmt. Beim Filmfestival in Cannes, wo der Film im gleichen Jahr außer Konkurrenz gezeigt wurde, hinterließ er bei Publikum und Kritikern tiefen Eindruck.

https://www.kleinezeitung.at/kultur/stmk_kultur/17949413/beruehmter-komponist-mbongeni-ngema-bei-autounfall-gestorben

Videos:

Mbongeni Ngema has passed away in a car accident

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCHVWKH1yls

‘Sarafina!’ official trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wPMZEE3Y9M

Mbongeni Ngema - Unity (Official Music Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfjdj4xkxmk

Mbongeni Ngema - Woza My Fohloza (Official Music Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaK2-uT_FpQ

Mbongeni Ngema - Stimela SaseZola (Official Music Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3dW2E3fRJI