By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The internationally acclaimed playwright, composer, director, and singer Dr Mbongeni Ngema has been laid to rest at Chesterville’s Hero’s Acre cemetery in Durban on Friday.
Ngema died last week Wednesday at the age of 68.
The Verulam-born legendary playwright and musician perished in a head-on collision while returning from a funeral in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday declared a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 2 for Ngema.
Dignitaries and mourners from across the spectrum, including family, members of the Provincial and National Government, artists, diplomats, and the community paid their final respects to one of the country’s iconic activists and artists.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube delivered the eulogy at Ngema’s Special Provincial Official Funeral.
Amongst the dignitaries were friends in the music and film industry, Leleti Khumalo, Yvonne Chaka-Chaka, Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, Sello Chicco Twala and Somizi Mhlongo.
There was a special performance by Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Ngema was hailed as an anti-apartheid activist who was instrumental in documenting and using theatre in protest against the oppression in the townships during the height of segregation.
His wife paid tribute to him in a moving letter. Vusimuzi Gumede, on behalf of Mpumi Gumede, Ngema’s Wife, thanked him for 17 years of a marriage that was a friendship. “He was Africa’s icon but a loving husband to her and she will miss him.”
Ngema’s son, Africa Ngema, says his father, who set up his own company ‘Committed Artists’, created masterpieces such as ‘Asinamali’ and the internationally renowned ‘Sarafina!
Sarafina! went on to become a major international musical production and was successful on Broadway.
Mourners heard how Ngema inspired many in the industry and helped build the careers of many actors and singers. And with songs like “Freedom is coming tomorrow’ many believed in the dream of a rainbow nation.
The Woza Albert, Asinamali and Sarafina creator as well as Stimela SaseZola hitmaker, used his creative excellence to raise awareness about the injustices of apartheid and highlighted the plight of South Africa’s oppressed people.
Meanwhile Ngema’s family barred a three-month pregnant woman who claimed to be his customary law wife from being part of his funeral preparations as well as memorial and burial services.
Yolanda “Wanda” Moncho, who claimed she is Mbongeni’s customary wife and official manager, said she tried everything to be part of the funeral service, but the family allegedly rejected her.
In an attempt to be part of the funeral services, she sent a letter asking for KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube’s urgent intervention.
In the letter, dated 2 January 2024, she revealed that she started being Mbongeni’s official manager in May 2019 until his death.
“Over and above my role as Ngema’s official manager, I was also his customary law wife, him having sent a delegation to my family in Diepkloof, Soweto in August 2021.
“As a matter of fact, at this very moment, I’m three months pregnant with his child whose birth he was very much looking forward to,” read the letter.
The letter further said she decided to direct her correspondence to the Premier’s Office after several unsuccessful attempts to get the Ngema family to involve her in all meetings and other discussions among themselves and with government officials pertaining to the memorial service and burial of her client and husband.
Rest in Peace Madlokovu, Mngadi, Ntusi!!!
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