Who was Mbongeni Ngema Married To? Who is Mbongeni Ngema Wife?
by Rubaditsha
Updated Dec 29, 2023
Who was Mbongeni Ngema Married To?
Mbongeni Ngema, the accomplished composer and lyricist, was married twice. His first marriage, from 1983 to 1992, was to Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema. Their collaboration led to the creation of the acclaimed musical "Sarafina!" However, their relationship faced challenges, as detailed in Xoliswa's memoir, citing alleged violent behavior by Ngema.
Subsequently, Ngema married actress Leleti Khumalo, whom he met while working on "Sarafina!" The couple, with a notable age difference, divorced in 2005. Both marriages garnered public attention, contributing to the multifaceted narrative of Ngema's life, marked by his impactful contributions to theatre, film, and the arts.
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Who is Mbongeni Ngema Wife?
Mbongeni Ngema had two wives during his lifetime. His first wife was Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema, and their marriage endured from 1983 to 1992. Their collaboration resulted in the creation of the renowned musical "Sarafina!" Despite their professional success, their relationship faced challenges, as disclosed in Xoliswa's memoir, which highlighted alleged violent behavior by Ngema.
Following his divorce from Xoliswa, Ngema then married actress Leleti Khumalo. Their union, which began while working on "Sarafina!" and featured a significant age difference, concluded in 2005. Both marriages contributed to the public narrative surrounding Ngema's personal life, adding complexity to his notable contributions to the arts.
Who was Mbongeni Ngema?
Mbongeni Ngema, was a versatile South African artist renowned for his roles as a playwright, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer, and theatre producer. He gained prominence for co-authoring the influential 1981 play "Woza Albert!" and collaboratively creating the 1988 musical "Sarafina!" with Hugh Masakela.
Ngema's works vividly captured the essence of black South Africans during the apartheid era, earning him acclaim despite occasional controversies. Tragically, he succumbed to a car accident on December 27, 2023. Ngema's legacy stands as a testament to his impactful contributions to the arts, particularly in portraying the resilience and spirit of his compatriots under the challenging circumstances of apartheid.
Name
Mbongeni Ngema
Born
10 May 1955
Place of Birth
Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Died
27 December 2023 (aged 68)
Occupation
Playwright, writer, composer, director, producer, actor
Language
English
Notable Works
Sarafina!, Woza Albert!
Spouses
Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema (m. 1983; div. 1992)
Leleti Khumalo (m. 1992; div. 2005)
Mbongeni Ngema Age
As of 2023, He is 68 years old. Mbongeni Ngema, born on May 10, 1955, in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, was the third of seven children to Gladys Hadebe and Zwelikhethabantu Ngema. Zwelikhethabantu, a policeman from eNhlwathi village, had been stationed in Verulam, which, post the 1950 Group Areas Act, became predominantly Indian.
Consequently, Ngema and his siblings were relocated to kwaHlabisa. There, they embraced a rural life, tending to animals before attending school. Later, Ngema returned to Verulam and Durban for his education, initially at Vukuzakhe High School in Umlazi. Despite dropping out in his final year, Ngema ventured into music, marking the beginning of his diverse and influential artistic journey.
Mbongeni Ngema Career
Mbongeni Ngema's artistic journey began in Johannesburg, where he collaborated with Gibson Kente as a singer and trainee actor, also serving as a theatre backing guitarist. Rising to prominence in the 1980s, Ngema authored the acclaimed play "Woza Albert!" (1981) and the award-winning musical "Sarafina!" (1988), capturing the spirit of Black South Africans during apartheid.
"Sarafina!" garnered Tony nominations, won NAACP Image Awards, and became a successful film. Ngema's diverse contributions include the prison musical "Asinamali" (1983) and "Sarafina II" (1995), addressing the AIDS epidemic. He received accolades, including a place on the New York "Walk of Fame." As a librettist, Ngema's work extended to soundtracks for "Sarafina - the movie" (1992) and "The Lion King," earning him a multi-platinum award. His enduring impact includes plays like "The Zulu" (2013) and "Freedom Fighter."
Who was Mbongeni Ngema Married To: FAQs
Mbongeni Ngema was married twice. His first wife was Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema (1983-1992), and later, he married actress Leleti Khumalo (1992-2005).
Mbongeni Ngema was a versatile South African artist known for his impactful contributions to theatre, film, and music, notably for co-writing "Sarafina!" and "Woza Albert!"
Mbongeni Ngema passed away on December 27, 2023, at the age of 68, in a car accident.
Mbongeni Ngema's notable works include the acclaimed musicals "Sarafina!" and "Woza Albert!"
Ngema's artistic journey began in Johannesburg, collaborating with Gibson Kente as a singer and trainee actor.