Mbongeni Ngema
Bio
Mbongeni Ngema: South Africa’s Theatre Legend
Mbongeni Ngema, born 10 May 1955 in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, is a celebrated South African playwright, composer and theatre producer. He rose to fame in 1981 with Woza Albert!, co-created with Percy Mtwa, a satirical play imagining the second coming of Jesus in apartheid South Africa.
He followed with politically charged musicals including Asinamali! (1983), Sarafina! (1987), Township Fever (1990) and Mama! The Musical of Freedom (1995). Sarafina! became a global stage phenomenon and was adapted into a film starring Leleti Khumalo and Whoopi Goldberg.
Ngema has also contributed to Disney’s The Lion King and released songs such as "Lizobuya", "One Blood", "Laduma" and "Stimela Sase-Zola", with albums including Magic at 4 A.M, Laduma and Woza My-Fohloza. His work has earned Tony nominations, a Grammy nod, 11 NAACP Image Awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Film Awards.
Ngema remains a defining voice in South African theatre, celebrating township stories and the spirit of resistance.
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