Does Mbongeni Ngema have Children? Who was Mbongeni Ngema? Mbongeni Ngema's Age, Family, Nationality, and More
by J Nandhini
Updated Dec 28, 2023
Who was Mbongeni Ngema?
Mbongeni Ngema (1955 - 2023) was a South African artist who did many things like writing plays, making music, directing, and more. His work often talked about the lives of Black South Africans during a difficult time called apartheid.
One of his most famous works is the movie "Sarafina" from 1992. It tells a story about South African kids who fought against apartheid. Ngema also made popular songs, like "Stimela Sase Zola."
In 1986, he won an award for doing a great job in directing and writing a play called "Asinamali!" in Los Angeles. Sadly, Ngema passed away in a car accident on December 27, 2023, when he was 68 years old.
Full Name
Mbongeni Ngema
Birth Year
1955
Death Year
2023
Nationality
South African
Occupations
Playwright, Composer, Director, Choreographer, Lyricist, Theater Producer
Notable Works
"Sarafina" (1992) - Movie depicting South African school children fighting apartheid
Stimela Sase Zola" - Hit song
Awards
1986 Drama Logue Award for Outstanding Direction and Writing for "Asinamali!" at Mark Taper Forum Theatre, Los Angeles
Themes in Work
Reflection of experiences of Black South Africans during apartheid
Death Date
December 27, 2023
Age at Death
68
Does Mbongeni Ngema have Children?
South African playwright and musician Mbongeni Ngema has many children from different marriages. Because he married several times, he has a big family. Mbongeni Ngema, a well-known South African artist, and the former husband of actress Leleti Khumalo, did not have any children with his ex-wife while they were married.
Mbongeni Ngema Age
Mbongeni Ngema was born on May 10, 1955 and died on December 27, 2023 at the age of 68. The South African artist did many things like writing plays, making music, directing, and acting. He started acting in local theater groups in the 1970s.
Mbongeni Ngema Nationality
Mbongeni Ngema is South African. Ngema was born in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, and he started his career as a guitarist for theater shows. In 1990, he wrote a musical called Township Fever. He got the idea for it when he saw a serious protest by South African railway workers.
Mbongeni Ngema Family
Ngema was a father, husband, and brother. Mbongeni Ngema has a family that includes his wife, Leleti Khumalo, and his ex-wife, Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema. Ngema and Khumalo got married in 1992. Khumalo is an actress who played a big role in the movie "Sarafina!" in 1992 and also starred in South Africa's first Oscar-nominated film, "Yesterday."
Mbongeni Ngema Career
Mbongeni Ngema passed away on December 27, 2023, but he left a lasting impact on South African theatre. He did many things like writing, making music, directing, and more. Born in 1955 in Verulam, South Africa, he started his career as a guitarist in theatre shows.
In the late 1970s, he began acting in local theatre groups. One of his most famous works is the musical "Sarafina!" which tells the story of schoolgirls fighting against apartheid. It got nominated for five Tony Awards and later for Grammys. It was a big hit on Broadway and even became a movie.
He also co-wrote another important play called "Woza Albert!" It makes fun of Jesus Christ coming to apartheid South Africa. Ngema's works always talked about the lives of black South Africans during apartheid.
He directed and choreographed many plays like "Asinamali!" and "The House of Shaka." He even helped with the animated film "The Lion King."
Ngema won many awards, including Tony Award nominations, NAACP Image Awards, and the Drama Logue Award. His work told powerful stories about the unfairness of apartheid. His lively musicals and dances with township music not only entertained but also made people think about important issues.
Does Mbongeni Ngema have Children?
South African playwright and musician Mbongeni Ngema has many children from different marriages.
Mbongeni Ngema was a multi-talented South African artist known for his roles as a playwright, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer, and theatre producer.
Mbongeni Ngema was born in Verulam, South Africa, in the year 1955.
Ngema initially began his career as a backing guitarist in theatre productions.
"Sarafina!" received five Tony Award nominations and later earned Grammy nominations. It had a successful two-year run on Broadway and was adapted into a feature film.
Throughout his career, Ngema's works consistently addressed the experiences and struggles of black South Africans under apartheid, shining a light on the injustices through powerful storytelling.