By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Transport in the Eastern Cape has opened a case of culpable homicide following the passing of theatre legend Mbongeni Ngema.
Ngema was travelling with two other people on the R61 towards Port Edward in the Eastern Cape when their car collided with the truck heading in the opposite direction.
Eastern Cape Transport Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said all three people in the car sustained severe injuries, and Ngema was rushed to OR and Adelaide Tambo Memorial Hospital in Bizana, where he was certified dead on arrival.
Both occupants of the truck were unharmed.
“The circumstances surrounding the cause of the crash are still unknown at this stage. A case of culpable homicide has been opened at Bizana Saps for further investigations,” said Binqose.
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said the police responded to an accident scene on the R61 road between Mbizana and Magusheni on Wednesday afternoon around 4:30 pm.
On arrival, they found three people, including the driver, in a serious condition.
It is reported that a white Renault sedan was driving from Lusikisiki to Durban when they were involved in an accident with a truck, Mawisa said.
The scene of the accident that killed Mbongeni Ngema/ Picture: Supplied.
She said the three people including Ngema were rushed to hospital for treatment. The deceased [Ngema], who was one of the passengers, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital and the other two including the driver are still at the hospital, added Mawisa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has joined South Africans from across the country in offering their condolences to the family, friends and associates of cultural stalwart, Ngema.
His masterfully creative narration of our liberation struggle honoured the humanity of oppressed South Africans and exposed the inhumanity of an oppressive regime.
“The many productions he created or to which he contributed inspired resilience and pride among us as fellow South Africans and took South Africa and our continent into the theatres, homes and consciousness of millions of people around the world. May his soul rest in peace,” said Ramaphosa.
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa, also expressed his condolences saying Ngema’s work touched and moved audiences around the world and made an important contribution in telling the South African story.
Born in the town of Verulam in KwaZulu-Natal, His work was internationally acclaimed, receiving Tony Award nominations for Asinamali and Sarafina. Ngema also received Grammy Award nominations through his work in Sarafina and The Lion King. A testament to his artistic talent, Ngema also acted in film, appearing in the film adaptation of Sarafina and the Oscar-nominated film Yesterday.
Locally, Ngema received several accolades such as Lifetime Achievement Awards at the South African Music Awards (SAMAS) and the Naledi Theatre Awards.
Ngema also contributed greatly to the development of creative arts in communities through his collaboration with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and its agencies such as the Playhouse Company.