Mbongeni Ngema, a distinguished South African musician and creator of the musical “Sarafina!,” died on Wednesday in a car accident. He was 68.
“Ngema was killed in a head-on car accident while returning from a funeral he was attending in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape this evening,” his family said in a statement to the Associated Press. It is understood that he was a passenger in the car.
A playwright, producer and composer, he is best known for creating the 1987 stage musical “Sarafina!,” which tells the tale of a student woman who sees her teacher sent to jail and inspires other to fight against the racial segregation system known as apartheid. In 1981, he also created “Woza Albert,” a satirical stage drama in which Jesus Christ returns to Earth as a black South African.
“Sarafina!,” with lyrics co-written by Hugh Masekela, first opened at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg with Leleti Khumalo in the title role.
“Ngema was killed in a head-on car accident while returning from a funeral he was attending in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape this evening,” his family said in a statement to the Associated Press. It is understood that he was a passenger in the car.
A playwright, producer and composer, he is best known for creating the 1987 stage musical “Sarafina!,” which tells the tale of a student woman who sees her teacher sent to jail and inspires other to fight against the racial segregation system known as apartheid. In 1981, he also created “Woza Albert,” a satirical stage drama in which Jesus Christ returns to Earth as a black South African.
“Sarafina!,” with lyrics co-written by Hugh Masekela, first opened at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg with Leleti Khumalo in the title role.
- 12/28/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Renowned South African playwright, producer and composer Mbongeni Ngema has died in a car crash at the age of 68, his family said.
“Ngema was killed in a head-on car accident while returning from a funeral he was attending in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape this evening,” his family said in a statement Wednesday. The celebrated playwright was a passenger in the vehicle involved in the crash.
He was best known for creating the hit Sarafina! which first premiered on Broadway in 1988. It was adapted into a musical drama starring Whoopi Goldberg in 1992, becoming an international success, and was nominated for the Tony and Grammy Awards.
Sarafina! told the story of a young student and how she inspired her peers to fight against racial segregation in apartheid South Africa after her teacher was thrown in jail.
Apartheid was an institutionalized system that discriminated against non-whites and ensured South Africa was ruled...
“Ngema was killed in a head-on car accident while returning from a funeral he was attending in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape this evening,” his family said in a statement Wednesday. The celebrated playwright was a passenger in the vehicle involved in the crash.
He was best known for creating the hit Sarafina! which first premiered on Broadway in 1988. It was adapted into a musical drama starring Whoopi Goldberg in 1992, becoming an international success, and was nominated for the Tony and Grammy Awards.
Sarafina! told the story of a young student and how she inspired her peers to fight against racial segregation in apartheid South Africa after her teacher was thrown in jail.
Apartheid was an institutionalized system that discriminated against non-whites and ensured South Africa was ruled...
- 12/28/2023
- by The Associated Press and THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mbongeni Ngema, the South African creator of Whoopi Goldberg film Sarafina!, has died in a car accident. He was aged 68.
Ngema’s family announced his death in a statement, revealing that he was killed in a head-on collision December 27 while returning from a funeral he had attended in Lusikisiki, South Africa. He was a passenger in the vehicle.
Ngema is best known for creating the musical Sarafina!, which premiered on Broadway in 1988 and was later adapted into a vehicle for Goldberg in 1992.
It told the story of a young student’s fight against racial segregation in apartheid South Africa after her teacher was jailed.
Ngema was a writer, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer, and theater producer. His other major credits include vocal arranging on The Lion King.
In a statement, Sarafina! producer Anant Singh said: “We have lost a trailblazing creative talent who fearlessly brought awareness of South Africa under apartheid...
Ngema’s family announced his death in a statement, revealing that he was killed in a head-on collision December 27 while returning from a funeral he had attended in Lusikisiki, South Africa. He was a passenger in the vehicle.
Ngema is best known for creating the musical Sarafina!, which premiered on Broadway in 1988 and was later adapted into a vehicle for Goldberg in 1992.
It told the story of a young student’s fight against racial segregation in apartheid South Africa after her teacher was jailed.
Ngema was a writer, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer, and theater producer. His other major credits include vocal arranging on The Lion King.
In a statement, Sarafina! producer Anant Singh said: “We have lost a trailblazing creative talent who fearlessly brought awareness of South Africa under apartheid...
- 12/28/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: South Africa’s Videovision Entertainment is heading to next week’s Mip Africa event with a new TV sales division.
The unit will bring a significant number of titles from South Africa, comprising over 100 feature films and more than 10,000 hours of television programs. Videovision is one the country’s oldest and most successful production houses.
Videovision’s CEO Anant Singh has secured a deal to represent e.tv’s daily soap House of Zwide, which the company produces. Other Videovision titles produced over the past four decades will also be included on the slate, with notable features include Sarafina!, starring Leleti Khumalo, Whoopi Goldberg and Miriam Makeba; Cry, the Beloved Country starring James Earl Jones, Richard Harris and Vusi Kunene; Red Dust starring Hilary Swank and Chiwetel Ejiofor and directed by Tom Hooper; and Yesterday, which received South Africa’s first Academy Award nomination.
See a trailer for the slate here.
The unit will bring a significant number of titles from South Africa, comprising over 100 feature films and more than 10,000 hours of television programs. Videovision is one the country’s oldest and most successful production houses.
Videovision’s CEO Anant Singh has secured a deal to represent e.tv’s daily soap House of Zwide, which the company produces. Other Videovision titles produced over the past four decades will also be included on the slate, with notable features include Sarafina!, starring Leleti Khumalo, Whoopi Goldberg and Miriam Makeba; Cry, the Beloved Country starring James Earl Jones, Richard Harris and Vusi Kunene; Red Dust starring Hilary Swank and Chiwetel Ejiofor and directed by Tom Hooper; and Yesterday, which received South Africa’s first Academy Award nomination.
See a trailer for the slate here.
- 9/1/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
TF1 Studio/ Newen Connect has picked up international sales rights to “Sarafina!,” the iconic South African musical-dance-drama that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1992.
“Sarafina!” was the first major film to be made in South Africa after the release of Nelson Mandela from his 27-year prison term. The film tells of the strength of the young women who made their mark during South Africa’s long journey to freedom.
A restored version of the film will play in the Cannes Classics section this Sunday. It is a digitally remastered ‘producer’s cut’ which was created in partnership with Imax and includes never-seen-before footage.
The film was produced by Anant Singh through his Videovision Entertainment and directed by Darrel James Roodt from a screenplay by Mbongeni Ngema and William Nicholson. It stars Whoopi Goldberg, Leleti Khumalo, Miriam Makeba, Mbongeni Ngema, John Kani and Somizi Mhlongo.
“ ‘Sarafina!’ is as entertaining and...
“Sarafina!” was the first major film to be made in South Africa after the release of Nelson Mandela from his 27-year prison term. The film tells of the strength of the young women who made their mark during South Africa’s long journey to freedom.
A restored version of the film will play in the Cannes Classics section this Sunday. It is a digitally remastered ‘producer’s cut’ which was created in partnership with Imax and includes never-seen-before footage.
The film was produced by Anant Singh through his Videovision Entertainment and directed by Darrel James Roodt from a screenplay by Mbongeni Ngema and William Nicholson. It stars Whoopi Goldberg, Leleti Khumalo, Miriam Makeba, Mbongeni Ngema, John Kani and Somizi Mhlongo.
“ ‘Sarafina!’ is as entertaining and...
- 5/19/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Gandhinagar, Oct 9 (Ians) Gujarat’s Pragnya Mohan made light of the surround sound of expectations to claim the 36th National Games women’s individual triathlon gold with a powerful show at the Iit Gandhinagar here on Sunday.
She dominated the field with ease, notching up the third-fastest time in swimming and the fastest times in both the cycling and running legs, to leave Maharashtra’s Mansi Mohite gasping well over 5 minutes behind her. Tamil Nadu’s S. Aarthi took home the bronze.
Pragnya’s gold, after finishing tenth in the last edition of the Games, has swelled Gujarat’s gold tally to an impressive 12.
Adarsh Muralidharan Sinimol bagged the men’s triathlon gold to continue Services’ medal hunt. With titles coming in Wushu and Canoeing & Kayaking, they finished the day with a tally of 51 gold, 33 silver and 29 bronze for a total of 113 medals. Haryana (31 gold) and Maharashtra (29) continued their fight...
She dominated the field with ease, notching up the third-fastest time in swimming and the fastest times in both the cycling and running legs, to leave Maharashtra’s Mansi Mohite gasping well over 5 minutes behind her. Tamil Nadu’s S. Aarthi took home the bronze.
Pragnya’s gold, after finishing tenth in the last edition of the Games, has swelled Gujarat’s gold tally to an impressive 12.
Adarsh Muralidharan Sinimol bagged the men’s triathlon gold to continue Services’ medal hunt. With titles coming in Wushu and Canoeing & Kayaking, they finished the day with a tally of 51 gold, 33 silver and 29 bronze for a total of 113 medals. Haryana (31 gold) and Maharashtra (29) continued their fight...
- 10/9/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
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