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Mbongeni Ngema

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Third time lucky: Noxolo Dlamini returns to the role of Sarafina in a production of the musical, on at the Joburg Theatre until 15 June. (Photo supplied)
ACTING AS HEALING

Noxolo Dlamini returns to the stage as Sarafina

Dlamini brings new life to a role born from resistance and South Africa’s historic youth uprising

  • Busi Lethole
9 min read
The song breaks away from his normal style and rolls back the years. Photo: Supplied
SOUTH AFRICA YOU

K.O strikes again with new single Y.O.U

The song breaks away from his normal style and rolls back the years

  • Lesego Chepape
3 min read
Playwright and musician Mbongeni Ngema, who wrote and directed the musical Sarafina, died in a car crash on Wednesday, his family said.
EDITORIAL

Mbongeni Ngema and sanitising history

South Africa’s grotesque sexual violence statistics give credence to those who want to use his death and prominence to highlight the country’s sex crimes

  • Editorial
2 min read
KEMPTON PARK, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 15: Dr Mbongeni Ngema during the Black Musical Extravaganza at the Theatre of Marcellus on September 15, 2023 in Kempton Park, South Africa. World-acclaimed writer, lyricist, composer and film producer Mbongeni Ngema officially launched his new EP Thina Bant Abamnyama. (Photo by Oupa Bopape/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
DARRYL ROODT

Mbongeni Ngema dead, but his legacy will live on

Ngema’s flaws should not overshadow his remarkable contribution to South African cultural history This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free…

  • Ismail Mahomed
1 min read
Playwright and musician Mbongeni Ngema, who wrote and directed the musical Sarafina, died in a car crash on Wednesday, his family said.
MBONGENI NGEMA

Playwright and musician Mbongeni Ngema killed in crash

He was the creator of the acclaimed musical and film Sarafina which explores the 1976 uprising led by black students

  • Mg Reporter
1 min read
A MARRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

Solace and unity in laughter

Comedy has a role in helping us understand our complex nation and in healing cultural rifts

  • Greg Homann
4 min read
Freedom: A scene from the movie ‘Sarafina!’, about the June 16 student uprising, with Leleti Khumalo (centre) as the lead character.
LELETI KHUMALO

‘Sarafina!’  back with amandla

The remastered version of the movie made three decades ago is out and as relevant as ever

  • Lesego Chepape
7 min read
Remaining relevant: ‘Sarafina!’ performed at the 2017 Naledi Theatre Awards in Joburg.
ART

Sarafina! is still with us as youth struggles continue

Decades later, Mbongeni Ngema’s work still has life lessons for South Africans in these dark days for our democracy

  • Lumumba Mthembu
9 min read
Send us in: President Cyril Ramaphosa’s thuma mina campaign kicked off in Tembisa on Friday. But will he manage to corral enough ANC supporters behind his unity campaign?
MARKET THEATRE

Ngema charts a new course for theatre-to-film

A journey of theatre and the healing power of song release pent-up emotions in Asinamali

  • Struan Douglas
4 min read
Mbongeni Ngema denies claims by musician Tu Nokwe that she took part in conceptualising the Broadway success ‘Sarafina!’.
KATLEGO MKHWANAZI

Mbongeni Ngema dismisses singer’s claims about ‘Sarafina!’ involvement

Musician Tu Nokwe wants recognition for being the brains behind the hit musical, but Mbongeni Ngema denies she played any part in its creation.

  • Katlego Mkhwanazi
6 min read
Mbongeni Ngema: Lion of the stage
LISA VAN WYK
Video

Mbongeni Ngema: Lion of the stage

Since making an indelible mark on South African theatre with <em>Woza Albert!</em>, Mbongeni Ngema has become mired in controversy.

  • Lisa Van Wyk
7 min read
JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION

No room for racism

When Mbongeni Ngema claimed in the hit song <i>AmaNdiya</i> that Indian were responsible for the oppression of Africans in KZN he was called to order.

  • The Editorial
2 min read
KZN GOVERNMENT

Ngema gets more millions

His potato boycott play, Lion of the East, gets a further R2.9m injection of government money from KwaZulu-Natal.

  • Niren Tolsi
5 min read
BERNARD JAY

‘Sarafina III’ a hot potato

Playwright Mbongeni Ngema gets R22-million for a play about the potato boycott, writes Niren Tolsi.

  • Niren Tolsi
4 min read
BROADCASTING COMPLAINTS COMMISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA

No judgement yet on Zubz’s ‘hate song’

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa reserved judgement on Thursday in the hearing of a complaint against the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s broadcast…

  • Staff Reporter
1 min read