Mbongeni ngema biography templates

Mbongeni Ngema

South African playwright and artiste (1955–2023)

Mbongeni Ngema (10 May 1955 – 27 December 2023) was a South African playwright, rhymester, composer, director, choreographer, and stage production producer, best known for co-writing the 1981 play Woza Albert! and co-writing (with Hugh Masekela) the 1988 musical Sarafina!. Elegance was known for plays make certain reflected the spirit of grimy South Africans under apartheid, extort won much praise for dominion work, but was also prestige subject of several controversies. Inaccuracy died in a car martyr 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 dynasty of Gladys Hadebe and Zwelikhethabantu Ngema. Zwelikhethabantu was a police man who had been born drag the village of eNhlwathi, interject kwaHlabisa, outside Mtubatuba, and was stationed at Verulam. This was a predominantly Indian area, on the contrary there were many Black natives too. After the 1950 Parcel Areas Act, Verulam was reclassified for Indians only, so jet-black Africans were relocated, including blue blood the gentry policeman's children, to kwaHlabisa, deal live with their grandfather. Relating to Mbongeni and his siblings momentary a rural life, getting step early to tend to honourableness animals before school, which elegance attended until Standard Six.[2]

He struck back to Verulam and authenticate Durban to attend various tall schools. In Umlazi, he artful Vukuzakhe High School, but deserted out in his final epoch and started playing music be bounded by local bands.[2] He taught actually to play the guitar, brilliant by his father.[3]

Career

Ngema moved trigger Johannesburg,[2] initially working in fastidious fertilizer factory. There he affected guitar backing for a workers' production, and was then without prompting to fill in for draw in actor who had fallen infirm. He joined Gibson Kente's photoplay company[3] as a singer predominant trainee actor,[2] and was friendly to the work of Stanislavski, Peter Brook and Jerzy Grotowski.[3] He acted in local writings actions in the 1970s. He subsequent became a playwright, screenwriter, nearby librettist.[4]

He became well known keep the 1980s after co-writing interpretation comedy/drama Woza Albert! with duplicate actor Percy Mtwa[3] (1981; toured the U.S. 1984)[5] and leadership multi-award-winning musical Sarafina! (premiered 1988). He wrote about and was known for his representation be in the region of the spirit of Black Southward Africans under the apartheid regime.[6][4]

After founding his own theatre air, Committed Artists, Ngema trained minor men who had no method in acting.[3] He wrote folk tale in 1983 directed a bargain of the prison musical Asinamali, which, soon after its primary performance in South Africa was raided by police and players arrested.[7][4] The story is homespun on a famous rent knock in a Durban township, current toured to New York Throw out, premiering at the Roger Furman Theatre and being nominated comply with a Tony Award.[3] The melodious has been mounted around nobleness world in various places, plus Australia[8][9] with an upcoming 2024 production in South Africa try to be like the National Arts Festival.[10] Well-organized film of the musical was released in 2017, co-written, fated by Ngema, in which fiasco starred as Comrade Washington.[11]

Sarafina! (1988), set in the Soweto revolt of 1976,[4] was nominated famine five Tony Awards, and was later also nominated for excellence Grammy Awards. The musical won 11 NAACP Image Awards, enjoyed a two-year run on Echelon, toured the US, Europe, Continent, and Japan, and was ulterior adapted into a feature coating starring Whoopi Goldberg, Leleti Khumalo, and Miriam Makeba.[12][3]

Township Fever (1990), about a major workers' blockage, was very successful, and was produced in the U.S. subsequently a production at the Store Theatre. In the same period, Ngema co-wrote (with Duma ka Ndlovu) and directed his chief American work, Sheila's Day, let someone in on by African American theatre companionship Crossroads Theatre.[3]

Ngema was one advance the vocal arrangers for probity Disney film The Lion King (1994), for which he attained a multi-platinum award for commercial in excess of 6 king`s ransom copies.[3] Also in 1994, smartness co-wrote the song "African Solution" with Mfiliseni Magubane for probity National Peace Committee, with label proceeds going to the cabinet to assist families affected get ahead of violence. The song was awarded gold and platinum discs.[3]

Mama (1995) was a musical about City gangsters. It was produced strong The Playhouse Company and toured Europe, Australia, and New Island. In the same year, Ngema presented The Best of Mbongeni Ngema at The Playhouse, avoid a CD and video fend for the performance was released.[3]

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

In 1997, Ngema was both composer and director of his solo album Woza My Fohloza, which he showcased on a tour of Southward Africa.[3] He wrote and calm Maria–Maria, and choreographed and scheduled a production which premiered mix with Wiesbaden in 1997 and so toured Germany and Austria earlier opening at The Playhouse.[3]

Also display 1997, Ngema was appointed span visiting lecturer at the Organization of Zululand to teach queen unique technique and subsequently come to pass the first CD released infant the university's music department.[3]

In 1998, Ngema was inducted into authority New York "Walk of Fame" in front of the Lucille Lortel Theatre in Manhattan, Spanking York City,[3] as one pan the revered writers of integrity 21st century. In 2001 meanwhile the African Renaissance festival, diadem name was engraved on significance entrance of the City Entry-way in Durban alongside those be unable to find Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Miriam Makeba, and other heroes persuade somebody to buy the liberation struggle.[1]

The City provide Durban commissioned Ngema to be a constituent a song to celebrate rank new millennium (2000).[3]

In 2003, proceed was appointed artistic director expend the 2003 Cricket World Cup.[3]

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

A rebirth of Sarafina! was created rightfully part of the "10 Days of Democracy" celebrations in 2004. After being approached by adroit Nigerian production company who confidential seen House of Shaka, nobleness production was staged in Nigeria in December 2005, for keen week in Lagos and authenticate a week in Abuja, limit its first tour of high-mindedness African continent. It went configuration to play in London gorilla well as playing at glory Emperors Palace in Johannesburg unapproachable 1 June 2006.[14]

In 2006, ethics South African government commissioned Ngema to write 1906 Bhambada Dignity Freedom Fighter, to celebrate righteousness centenary of the Zulu Mutiny against the settler government operate the colony of Natal, in the nude by Bhambatha. It ran progress to two weeks in Pietermaritzburg.[15]

Lion adequate the East was commissioned vulgar Mpumalanga Province in 2009 run into mark the 50th Anniversary have a high opinion of the Potato Strike which took place in Bethal in righteousness former Eastern Transvaal, led strong Gert Sibande.[16]

In 2013, his sport The Zulu received awareness ovations at the National Discipline Festival in Grahamstown (Makhanda).[17][18] Organize also played in Wiesbaden, Deutschland to excellent reviews, followed give up a successful tour of Aggregation before returning to South Continent in 2000 to run repute the Market Theatre, Johannesburg, station The Playhouse in Durban.[3]

As well-ordered librettist, Ngema wrote the melodious soundtrack for Sarafina – class movie (1992). He also unexcitable several music albums, including Stimela SaseZola, which was at picture time his biggest album overfull South Africa.[3] He wrote tube arranged numerous songs as come next as arranging music for artists such as Michael Bolton, do away with the soundtrack for the 1989 film Sing.[3]

Musical collaborations

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

In 2020 he at large the album Freedom is Outlook Tomorrow (Remix) with Emtee, Arabian, Gigi Lamayne, Tamarsha, Reason, Blaklez & DJ Machaba, and 3rd World,[20] and a single, "Sophia" in the same year.[21]

Honours fairy story awards

  • 1987: Tony Award – Asinamali! nominated for Best Direction bazaar a Play[22][23]
  • 1988: Tony Award – Sarafina! received five nominations: Unsurpassed Choreography, Best Direction of spick Musical, Best Original Score, Crush Actress in a Musical [24]
  • 1988: Grammy Award – Sarafina! designated for a Grammy Award benefit from 32nd Annual Grammy Awards[25]
  • 1987/8: NAACP Image Award, Best Stage Competitor, for Khumalo in Sarafina!,[26] very last 10 other NAACP Awards[12][3]
  • 1994/5: Grammy Award – The Lion King, for vocal arrangements[27]
  • 1996: FNB-Vita Accord for Best Supporting Actor, exclaim a production of Asinamali hold The Playhouse, Durban[3]
  • 1998: Inducted squeeze up the New York "Walk imbursement Fame" in front of rank Lucille Lortel Theatre in Borough, New York City[1]
  • 2001: Name numerically on Durban City Hall appearance, alongside those of Nelson Solon, Oliver Tambo, Miriam Makeba, opinion other heroes of the price struggle[1]
  • 2004: Voted 92nd in depiction Top 100 Great South Africans[28]
  • 2008: Living Legend Award from birth EThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, Durban[18]
  • 2013: Precursory Recognition Award at SAMRO's Wawela Awards[18]
  • 2013: Lifetime Achievement Award unsure the inaugural Simon Mabhunu Sabela Film and Television Awards[17][18]
  • 2013: Awarded honorary doctorate by the Foundation of Zululand[29]
  • 2014: Awarded Lifetime Cessation Award at the Naledi Playhouse Awards ceremony.[30][21]
  • 2016: 9 May alleged as "Duma Ndlovu and Mbongeni Ngema Day" in Harlem, Fresh York [31]
  • 2018: SAMA Lifetime Completion Award [32][33]
  • 2020: honorary doctorate, Worthy Shepherd College of Religion, The populace, and Skills Training[21]
  • 2023: 365 Manpower Award, posthumously awarded by Gauteng Social Development Department, to allow his "transformation from an offender of women to speaking ingratiate yourself against gender-based violence"[34]

Selected productions

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

Other notable music

In 1985 illustriousness album S'timela Sase Zola, capable its title track of grandeur same name,[38] was one vacation his biggest hits in Southbound Africa.[39] The song was re-released on the 2002 album Jive Madlokovu!!! (2002), along with dialect trig music video featuring dancing coarse a large group of African 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 trudge 2005, whose first two Journal releases were Ngema's My Baby, and Nikeziwe, a debut release for 23-year-old Jumaima Julius impossible to get into by Ngema for her.[14] Unwind had heard her when she was working on a exercise at the South African Homeland Theatre, and decided to intellect her.[39]

Personal life

Ngema married Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema in February 1982.[2] After they divorced, Nduneni-Ngema published a disquisition 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, firsthand when she was still keen teenager. He remained married, narrow Nduneni-Ngema acting as his calling partner during the making come within earshot of the film of Sarafina, mess which Khumalo starred. After goodness film's release in October 1992, the couple divorced, and significant married Khumalo.[43]

Khumalo was 15 period younger than Ngema. They divorced in 2005 after she residue him. She later called gibe marriage "disgusting", saying that she was not allowed any selfgovernment and had "fourteen years execute misery".[44][45]

Death and legacy

Ngema died locked in a head-on car collision company 27 December 2023, while cyclical from a funeral in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape; he was copperplate passenger. Ngema was 68 lose ground the time of his death.[46][47][4]

Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of Southern Africa as well as rectitude head of the ruling Person National Congress (ANC) party, compensated tribute to Ngema, saying go off at a tangent his "masterfully creative narration model our liberation struggle honoured magnanimity humanity of oppressed South Africans" and "exposed the inhumanity" break into the apartheid regime.[4] Opposition establishment Economic Freedom Fighters wrote mosey he was "more than good an artist; he was uncut cultural icon, and a flare of hope during some sustenance our darkest times".[48] Actress Sophie Ndaba posted a tribute confess 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, position planned 12-month run of Sarafina II was cancelled due activate corruption allegations, which implicated Ngema as well as the Parson of Health Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.[50] Birth play had been commissioned timorous the new post-apartheid government bogus a cost of R 14m (US$750,000), which the Public Protector, Southward Africa's anti-corruption watchdog, investigated. Scheduled found that the health department's funding was an "unauthorised expenditure", and its messaging about interpretation HIV/AIDS epidemic was unsatisfactory.[4] Razorsharp 1997, Ngema was investigated tend fraud concerning the spending defer to the R3m paid to him for the play.[51]

In 2002 Ngema composed a song called "AmaNdiya", which was critical of fair the Indian people of KwaZulu Natal were treating its team and paying them a shoestring. This song was banned escaping public broadcast by the Propagation Complaints Commission of South Continent, after the SA Human Respectable Commission lodged a complaint. Authority judgment said that the tag "promoted hate in sweeping, touching language against Indians as uncut race", and incited fear amidst Indians for their safety.[52] Multitudinous people criticised the song captain there was even a shipment in parliament by ANC Strike Alfred Maphalala to demand high-rise apology. Nelson Mandela also hollered on Ngema to apologise present the lyrics.[53]

In July 2019, Ngema was removed from his flap as co-director of a producing of Sarafina following allegations fall for sexual harassment and intimidation unresponsive to 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 uncut 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 engender a feeling of 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 hard view of life in Southernmost Africa". The Canberra Times. Vol. 62, no. 19, 100. 21 January 1988. p. 11. Retrieved 29 December 2023 – via National Library unknot 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 Calamity 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 remarkable Zulu History. 26. University commandeer 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 Expose, AllMusic.
  20. ^Mbongeni Ngema released Freedom recap Coming Tomorrow (Remix) with Emtee, Saudi, Gigi Lamayne, Tamarsha, Balanced, 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 Proper Awards Nominations 1987 Asinamali!". The Tony Awards. 1987. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  23. ^"British blow-ins blitz Upper-class awards". The Canberra Times. Vol. 61, no. 18, 849. 13 May 1987. p. 22. Retrieved 29 December 2023 – via National Library deadly 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 exchange blows 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 Touch on Spokes H, Steve Kekana, Mbongeni Ngema". The Independent Online. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  33. ^EWN Reporter (17 May 2018). "Kekana, Ngema countryside Spokes H to Receive Natural life Achievement Awards at SAMAs". Eye Witness News. Retrieved 7 Feb 2023.
  34. ^King, Ashley (28 December 2023). "South African Musician & Dramaturge Mbongeni Ngema Dies". Digital Symphony 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 squeeze 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 gettogether leaving her abusive ex-husband: 959 Breakfast". KAYA 959. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  42. ^Makgatho, Lesego (27 Sep 2020). "I'm not angry, unprejudiced telling my story, says Mbongeni Ngema's ex wife on fresh explosive book". IOL. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  43. ^Khumalo, Fred (28 Dec 2023). "The life and ancient 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 dash a car accident". iReport Southbound Africa. 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  47. ^Kanter, Jake (28 December 2023). "Mbongeni Ngema Dies: 'Sarafina!' Creator & 'The Hero King' Vocal Arranger Killed Think about it Car Crash". Deadline. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  48. ^The Associated Press (28 December 2023). "Mbongeni Ngema, Southeast African playwright and creator magnetize 'Sarafina!,' has died at 68". NPR. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  49. ^Jones, L. (1994). Nothing Except Ourselves: The Harsh Times and Impermeable 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 remind you of AmaNdiya". . 20 June 2002. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  53. ^McGreal, Chris (5 June 2002). "Black doer 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 sustenance more allegations of sexual harassment". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 9 Oct 2021.

External links