Mbongeni Ngema

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Mbongeni Ngema (b. 1955 - ) a South African writer, lyricist, composer and director was born in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal (near Durban). He started his career as a theatre backing guitarist. He married Leleti Khumalo a nominee for 1988 Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical for Sarafina, and leading role in South Africa's first film nominated for an Oscar, Yesterday written and directed by Darryl Roodt, produced by Anant Singh.

In some sectors of South African society, Ngema is considered a racist because of his controversial song, AmaNdiya (about racism that Blacks in KwaZulu-Natal have suffered at the hands of Indians). It was banned in the country soon after it was released in 2002, and even Nelson Mandela had asked Ngema to apologize but Ngema refused.

[edit] Productions

  • Asinamali (1987)
  • Sarafina (1988)
  • Magic at 4 AM (1993)
  • Circle Of Life (African voices) (1995)
  • Mama (1996)
  • Sarafina 2 (1997)
  • Nikeziwe (2005)

[edit] Honors and Awards

  • 1987 Tony Award - Asinamali! was nominated for Best Direction of a Play
  • 1988 Tony Award - Sarafina was nominated 3 times for Best Choreography, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Original Score

In 2004 he was voted 92nd in the Top 100 Great South Africans.


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