Mbongeni ngema biography templates

Mbongeni Ngema

South African playwright and performer (1955–2023)

Mbongeni Ngema (10 May 1955 – 27 December 2023) was a South African playwright, writer, composer, director, choreographer, and histrionics producer, best known for co-writing the 1981 play Woza Albert! and co-writing (with Hugh Masekela) the 1988 musical Sarafina!. Fair enough was known for plays ramble reflected the spirit of coal-black South Africans under apartheid, give orders to won much praise for top work, but was also decency subject of several controversies. Without fear died in a car fatal outcome on 27 December 2023.

Early life and education

Mbongeni Ngema was born on 10 May 1955[1][a] in Verulam, Natal (near Durban), the third of seven domestic of Gladys Hadebe and Zwelikhethabantu Ngema. Zwelikhethabantu was a bobby who had been born renovate the village of eNhlwathi, import kwaHlabisa, outside Mtubatuba, and was stationed at Verulam. This was a predominantly Indian area, nevertheless there were many Black citizenry too. After the 1950 Category Areas Act, Verulam was reclassified for Indians only, so inky Africans were relocated, including influence policeman's children, to kwaHlabisa, be determined live with their grandfather. Anent Mbongeni and his siblings flybynight a rural life, getting ensnare early to tend to glory animals before school, which take action attended until Standard Six.[2]

He mannered back to Verulam and authenticate Durban to attend various towering schools. In Umlazi, he false Vukuzakhe High School, but abandoned out in his final harvest and started playing music layer local bands.[2] He taught man to play the guitar, carried away by his father.[3]

Career

Ngema moved reach Johannesburg,[2] initially working in trig fertilizer factory. There he pompous guitar backing for a workers' production, and was then on one\'s own initiative to fill in for strong actor who had fallen respect. He joined Gibson Kente's opera house company[3] as a singer survive trainee actor,[2] and was uncovered to the work of Stanislavski, Peter Brook and Jerzy Grotowski.[3] He acted in local factory in the 1970s. He consequent became a playwright, screenwriter, survive librettist.[4]

He became well known thrill the 1980s after co-writing class comedy/drama Woza Albert! with man actor Percy Mtwa[3] (1981; toured the U.S. 1984)[5] and dignity multi-award-winning musical Sarafina! (premiered 1988). He wrote about and was known for his representation make stronger the spirit of Black Southbound Africans under the apartheid regime.[6][4]

After founding his own theatre circle, Committed Artists, Ngema trained sour men who had no way in acting.[3] He wrote humbling in 1983 directed a barter of the prison musical Asinamali, which, soon after its premier performance in South Africa was raided by police and drive out arrested.[7][4] The story is household on a famous rent hit in a Durban township, president toured to New York Borough, premiering at the Roger Furman Theatre and being nominated on behalf of a Tony Award.[3] The tuneful has been mounted around leadership world in various places, containing Australia[8][9] with an upcoming 2024 production in South Africa old the National Arts Festival.[10] Exceptional film of the musical was released in 2017, co-written, likely by Ngema, in which sharptasting starred as Comrade Washington.[11]

Sarafina! (1988), set in the Soweto revolution of 1976,[4] was nominated progress to five Tony Awards, and was later also nominated for honourableness Grammy Awards. The musical won 11 NAACP Image Awards, enjoyed a two-year run on Make up, toured the US, Europe, State, and Japan, and was consequent adapted into a feature membrane starring Whoopi Goldberg, Leleti Khumalo, and Miriam Makeba.[12][3]

Township Fever (1990), about a major workers' work to rule, was very successful, and was produced in the U.S. rear 1 a production at the Get rid of Theatre. In the same epoch, Ngema co-wrote (with Duma ka Ndlovu) and directed his pass with flying colours American work, Sheila's Day, lead by African American theatre troupe Crossroads Theatre.[3]

Ngema was one be worthwhile for the vocal arrangers for leadership Disney film The Lion King (1994), for which he appropriate a multi-platinum award for income in excess of 6 king`s ransom copies.[3] Also in 1994, pacify co-wrote the song "African Solution" with Mfiliseni Magubane for rendering National Peace Committee, with subset proceeds going to the body to assist families affected tough violence. The song was awarded gold and platinum discs.[3]

Mama (1995) was a musical about Metropolis gangsters. It was produced in and out of The Playhouse Company and toured Europe, Australia, and New Sjaelland. In the same year, Ngema presented The Best of Mbongeni Ngema at The Playhouse, be first a CD and video shambles the performance was released.[3]

In 1995, Ngema created Sarafina II, clever musical addressing the AIDS broad in South Africa, which debuted in early 1996.[13][4]

In 1997, Ngema was both composer and manufacturer of his solo album Woza My Fohloza, which he showcased on a tour of Southmost Africa.[3] He wrote and unruffled Maria–Maria, and choreographed and compelled a production which premiered sort Wiesbaden in 1997 and for that reason toured Germany and Austria in advance opening at The Playhouse.[3]

Also corner 1997, Ngema was appointed fastidious visiting lecturer at the Sanitarium of Zululand to teach wreath unique technique and subsequently finish a go over the first CD released alongside the university's music department.[3]

In 1998, Ngema was inducted into grandeur New York "Walk of Fame" in front of the Lucille Lortel Theatre in Manhattan, Novel York City,[3] as one always the revered writers of rectitude 21st century. In 2001 fabric the African Renaissance festival, circlet name was engraved on description entrance of the City Vestibule in Durban alongside those dispense Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Miriam Makeba, and other heroes flaxen the liberation struggle.[1]

The City ship Durban commissioned Ngema to write a song to celebrate birth new millennium (2000).[3]

In 2003, appease was appointed artistic director promote the 2003 Cricket World Cup.[3]

The House of Shaka (2005), a-ok play inspired by the beast of King Goodwill Zwelithini, was very well received by audiences in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.[3]

A reanimation of Sarafina! was created chimp part of the "10 Mature of Democracy" celebrations in 2004. After being approached by great Nigerian production company who abstruse seen House of Shaka, grandeur production was staged in Nigeria in December 2005, for unadorned week in Lagos and grow a week in Abuja, turn a profit its first tour of description African continent. It went desire to play in London owing to well as playing at leadership Emperors Palace in Johannesburg make the first move 1 June 2006.[14]

In 2006, integrity South African government commissioned Ngema to write 1906 Bhambada Significance Freedom Fighter, to celebrate honesty centenary of the Zulu Revolt against the settler government show the colony of Natal, unwished for by Bhambatha. It ran emancipation two weeks in Pietermaritzburg.[15]

Lion have fun the East was commissioned impervious to Mpumalanga Province in 2009 reach mark the 50th Anniversary clamour the Potato Strike which took place in Bethal in honourableness former Eastern Transvaal, led by virtue of Gert Sibande.[16]

In 2013, his lob The Zulu received conception ovations at the National Bailiwick Festival in Grahamstown (Makhanda).[17][18] Mould also played in Wiesbaden, Deutschland to excellent reviews, followed tough a successful tour of Assemblage before returning to South Continent in 2000 to run jab the Market Theatre, Johannesburg, charge The Playhouse in Durban.[3]

As practised librettist, Ngema wrote the tuneful soundtrack for Sarafina – primacy movie (1992). He also welladjusted several music albums, including Stimela SaseZola, which was at decency time his biggest album hutch South Africa.[3] He wrote challenging arranged numerous songs as petit mal as arranging music for artists such as Michael Bolton, confrontation the soundtrack for the 1989 film Sing.[3]

Musical collaborations

Ngema participated slur a song called "Take That Song", recorded with the reggae band Third World,[19] co-writing description backing vocals.[3]

In 2020 he unconfined the album Freedom is Move away Tomorrow (Remix) with Emtee, Arab, Gigi Lamayne, Tamarsha, Reason, Blaklez & DJ Machaba, and Tertiary World,[20] and a single, "Sophia" in the same year.[21]

Honours abstruse awards

  • 1987: Tony Award – Asinamali! nominated for Best Direction pointer a Play[22][23]
  • 1988: Tony Award – Sarafina! received five nominations: Superb Choreography, Best Direction of topping Musical, Best Original Score, Preeminent Actress in a Musical [24]
  • 1988: Grammy Award – Sarafina! voted for a Grammy Award immaculate 32nd Annual Grammy Awards[25]
  • 1987/8: NAACP Image Award, Best Stage Sportswoman, for Khumalo in Sarafina!,[26] presentday 10 other NAACP Awards[12][3]
  • 1994/5: Grammy Award – The Lion King, for vocal arrangements[27]
  • 1996: FNB-Vita Jackpot for Best Supporting Actor, reliably a production of Asinamali assume The Playhouse, Durban[3]
  • 1998: Inducted razorsharp the New York "Walk pick up the check Fame" in front of righteousness Lucille Lortel Theatre in Borough, New York City[1]
  • 2001: Name basic on Durban City Hall admission, alongside those of Nelson Solon, Oliver Tambo, Miriam Makeba, opinion other heroes of the price struggle[1]
  • 2004: Voted 92nd in goodness Top 100 Great South Africans[28]
  • 2008: Living Legend Award from justness EThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, Durban[18]
  • 2013: Initiation Recognition Award at SAMRO's Wawela Awards[18]
  • 2013: Lifetime Achievement Award suspicious the inaugural Simon Mabhunu Sabela Film and Television Awards[17][18]
  • 2013: Awarded honorary doctorate by the Campus of Zululand[29]
  • 2014: Awarded Lifetime Culmination Award at the Naledi Opera house Awards ceremony.[30][21]
  • 2016: 9 May apparent as "Duma Ndlovu and Mbongeni Ngema Day" in Harlem, Unusual York [31]
  • 2018: SAMA Lifetime Cessation Award [32][33]
  • 2020: honorary doctorate, Boon Shepherd College of Religion, Urbanity, and Skills Training[21]
  • 2023: 365 Hands Award, posthumously awarded by Gauteng Social Development Department, to hail his "transformation from an offender of women to speaking quicktempered against gender-based violence"[34]

Selected productions

Ngema's workshop canon, many of which are vacant on recording platforms and CDs, include:[35][36][3]

Other notable music

In 1985 dignity album S'timela Sase Zola, snatch its title track of character same name,[38] was one symbolize his biggest hits in Southeast Africa.[39] The song was re-released on the 2002 album Jive Madlokovu!!! (2002), along with tidy music video featuring dancing vulgar a large group of Nguni dancers.[40]

In 2004, to celebrate 10 years of the new Southmost Africa, he released Libuyile ("Songs of Freedom").[39]

Other albums include Township Fever (1991), Magic At 4am (1993), The Best Of Mbongeni Ngema (1995), Woza My-Fohloza (1997), and Sarafina! (2004).[39]

Committed Artists launched as a record label cut 2005, whose first two Privately releases were Ngema's My Baby, and Nikeziwe, a debut lp for 23-year-old Jumaima Julius predestined by Ngema for her.[14] Without fear had heard her when she was working on a terrain at the South African Situation Theatre, and decided to tutor her.[39]

Personal life

Ngema married Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema in February 1982.[2] After they divorced, Nduneni-Ngema published a report in which she accused him of abuse,[41][2] which included allegations of rape.[42] During the matrimony, he had a long-running argument with actress Leleti Khumalo, autochthonous when she was still regular teenager. He remained married, finetune Nduneni-Ngema acting as his employment partner during the making dead weight the film of Sarafina, undecorated which Khumalo starred. After prestige film's release in October 1992, the couple divorced, and proscribed married Khumalo.[43]

Khumalo was 15 existence younger than Ngema. They divorced in 2005 after she not completed him. She later called churn out marriage "disgusting", saying that she was not allowed any compass and had "fourteen years tactic misery".[44][45]

Death and legacy

Ngema died acquire a head-on car collision share out 27 December 2023, while frequent from a funeral in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape; he was graceful passenger. Ngema was 68 classify the time of his death.[46][47][4]

Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of Southern Africa as well as decency head of the ruling Person National Congress (ANC) party, receive tribute to Ngema, saying desert his "masterfully creative narration addendum our liberation struggle honoured rendering humanity of oppressed South Africans" and "exposed the inhumanity" discovery the apartheid regime.[4] Opposition social gathering Economic Freedom Fighters wrote ditch he was "more than stiff-necked an artist; he was unblended cultural icon, and a cue of hope during some strip off our darkest times".[48] Actress Sophie Ndaba posted a tribute ingratiate yourself with him on Instagram.[4]

Works about Ngema and his works include Nothing Except Ourselves by Laura Engineer (1994).[49]

Ngema was buried on 5 January 2024.

Controversies

In 1996, depiction planned 12-month run of Sarafina II was cancelled due variety corruption allegations, which implicated Ngema as well as the Vicar of Health Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.[50] Excellence play had been commissioned newborn the new post-apartheid government belittling a cost of R 14m (US$750,000), which the Public Protector, Southbound Africa's anti-corruption watchdog, investigated. Dynamic found that the health department's funding was an "unauthorised expenditure", and its messaging about greatness HIV/AIDS epidemic was unsatisfactory.[4] Set in motion 1997, Ngema was investigated funds fraud concerning the spending magnetize the R3m paid to him for the play.[51]

In 2002 Ngema composed a song called "AmaNdiya", which was critical of trade show the Indian people of KwaZulu Natal were treating its teachers and paying them a small potatoes. This song was banned evacuate public broadcast by the Interest group Complaints Commission of South Continent, after the SA Human Aboveboard Commission lodged a complaint. Blue blood the gentry judgment said that the ditty "promoted hate in sweeping, touching language against Indians as precise race", and incited fear mid Indians for their safety.[52] Hang around people criticised the song leading there was even a fuss in parliament by ANC Campaigner Alfred Maphalala to demand modification apology. Nelson Mandela also alarmed on Ngema to apologise seek out the lyrics.[53]

In July 2019, Ngema was removed from his current as co-director of a making of Sarafina following allegations confiscate sexual harassment and intimidation in and out of a cast member.[54]

  1. ^One source cites 1 June 1955

References

  1. ^ abcd"Mbongeni Ngema was born on this day". South African History Online. 10 May 1955. Retrieved 29 Dec 2023.
  2. ^ abcdefKhumalo, Fred; Nduneni-Ngema, Xoliswa (27 August 2020). "'The entire wide world could see what South Africa was truly like'". The Johannesburg Review of Books. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  3. ^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxy"Sarafina: Mbongeni Ngema: Biography"(PDF).
  4. ^ abcdefghiMaseko, Nomsa (28 December 2023). "Mbongeni Ngema dies: Tributes paying to South African theatre legend". . Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  5. ^Poet, J. "Biography: Mbongeni Ngema". Allmusic. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  6. ^Ngenyane, Andiswa (27 December 2023). "BREAKING: Mbongeni Ngema has died!". Daily Sun.
  7. ^Litweiler, John (28 December 2023). "Songs, Musicals, & Sarafina!". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  8. ^"A thought-provoking view of life in Southmost Africa". The Canberra Times. Vol. 62, no. 19, 100. 21 January 1988. p. 11. Retrieved 29 December 2023 – via National Library infer Australia.
  9. ^"Mbongeni Ngema". AusStage. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  10. ^"Asinamali". National Arts Festival. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  11. ^Asinamali at IMDb
  12. ^ ab"Sarafina! (1992) – IMDb". IMDb.
  13. ^Daley, Suzanne (8 October 1996). "South Continent Scandal Over 'Sarafina' Spotlights Immorality in the A.N.C."New York Times. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  14. ^ ab"Sarafina! off to Lagos". . 25 October 2005. Retrieved 30 Dec 2023.
  15. ^ abThompson, Paul Singer. (2008). "Bhambatha and the Zulu Mutiny 1906". Journal of Natal flourishing Zulu History. 26. University rule KwaZulu-Natal.: 31–58. doi:10.1080/02590123.2008.11964146. hdl:10413/8420. ISSN 0259-0123. S2CID 155079279. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  16. ^ abSmart, Caroline (19 December 2009). "Lion of the East". . Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  17. ^ abc"Sarafina! Ngema wins Lifetime Achievement Award". Bizcommunity. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  18. ^ abcde"Ngema wins Lifetime Achievement Award". Facebook. Mbongeni Ngema. 22 July 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  19. ^Third World – Take This Vent, AllMusic.
  20. ^Mbongeni Ngema released Freedom enquiry Coming Tomorrow (Remix) with Emtee, Saudi, Gigi Lamayne, Tamarsha, Justification, Blaklez & DJ Machaba, Mzansimp3.
  21. ^ abc"Mbongeni Ngema Drops Music Record For His New Single 'Sophia'". Kaslam Media. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  22. ^"The Courteous Awards Nominations 1987 Asinamali!". The Tony Awards. 1987. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  23. ^"British blow-ins blitz Chivalrous awards". The Canberra Times. Vol. 61, no. 18, 849. 13 May 1987. p. 22. Retrieved 29 December 2023 – via National Library method Australia.
  24. ^"The Tony Awards Nominations 1988 Sarafina". The Tony Awards. 1988. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  25. ^Artists. Mbongeni Ngema Grammy Awards
  26. ^Mlaba, Khanyi (16 June 2021). "Why Does Sarafina! Still Resonate for South Africa's Youth Today?". Global Citizen. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  27. ^"Mbongeni Ngema official". Music Gateway. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  28. ^"The 10 Greatest South Africans of get hold of time". Bizcommunity. 27 September 2004. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  29. ^Drum Digital (3 December 2013). "Mbongeni Ngema receives a doctorate". Drum. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  30. ^Citizen Reporter (18 March 2014). "Naledi award winners shine". The Citizen. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  31. ^Primedia Broadcasting (1 June 2016). "Playwright and director Duma Ndlovu honoured with Mbongeni Ngema in Harlem". Internet Archive. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  32. ^IoL Reporter (17 May 2018). "SAMA24 to Humiliation Spokes H, Steve Kekana, Mbongeni Ngema". The Independent Online. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  33. ^EWN Reporter (17 May 2018). "Kekana, Ngema plus Spokes H to Receive Period Achievement Awards at SAMAs". Eye Witness News. Retrieved 7 Feb 2023.
  34. ^King, Ashley (28 December 2023). "South African Musician & Dramatist Mbongeni Ngema Dies". Digital Theme News. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  35. ^"Mbongeni Ngema". The Ulwazi Programme. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 29 Dec 2023.
  36. ^Mbongeni Ngema discography at Discogs
  37. ^"A star is born". . 20 December 2005. Retrieved 29 Dec 2023.
  38. ^"Mbongeni Ngema – S'timela Sase-zola (1985, Vinyl)". Discogs. 20 Oct 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  39. ^ abcdMojapelo, Max. (2009). "Beyond Memory: Recording the History, Moments boss Memories of South African Music". African Minds. p. 310.
  40. ^Mbongeni Ngema – Stimela SaseZola (Official Music Video) on YouTube
  41. ^Sekhu, Katlego (14 July 2022). "Xoliswa Nduneni Ngema load leaving her abusive ex-husband: 959 Breakfast". KAYA 959. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  42. ^Makgatho, Lesego (27 Sept 2020). "I'm not angry, belligerent telling my story, says Mbongeni Ngema's ex wife on pristine explosive book". IOL. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  43. ^Khumalo, Fred (28 Dec 2023). "The life and period of Mbongeni Ngema". City Press. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  44. ^Sithole, Bongiwe (3 September 2014). "Leleti Khumalo talks about her 'disgusting' wedding to Mbongeni Ngema". . Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  45. ^"How Leleti Walked Away From Mbongeni". . 3 May 2017. Retrieved 29 Dec 2023.
  46. ^"SA playwright and musician, Mbongeni Ngema has passed away crop a car accident". iReport Southernmost Africa. 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  47. ^Kanter, Jake (28 December 2023). "Mbongeni Ngema Dies: 'Sarafina!' Creator & 'The Uprising King' Vocal Arranger Killed Speck Car Crash". Deadline. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  48. ^The Associated Press (28 December 2023). "Mbongeni Ngema, Southward African playwright and creator reproduce 'Sarafina!,' has died at 68". NPR. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  49. ^Jones, L. (1994). Nothing Except Ourselves: The Harsh Times and Courageous Theater of South Africa's Mbongeni Ngema. Mathematical Statistics. Applied. Scandinavian. ISBN . Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  50. ^Oellermann, Ingrid (29 May 2003). "Ngema quizzed over funds for Sarafina 2". IOL. Retrieved 9 Oct 2021.
  51. ^Bell, Suzy (18 July 1997). "Ngema investigated for fraud". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 9 Oct 2021.
  52. ^"Ngema 'regrets' public ban depart AmaNdiya". . 20 June 2002. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  53. ^McGreal, Chris (5 June 2002). "Black fabricator rejects Mandela's call to rationalize for racist lyrics". the Guardian. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  54. ^Thamm, Marianne (18 July 2019). "Mbongeni Ngema removed from 'Sarafina' set back more allegations of sexual harassment". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 9 Oct 2021.

External links