Mbongeni Ngema

Quick Facts

Full Name	Mbongeni Ngema
Occupation	Composer
Date Of Birth	May 10, 1955(1955-05-10)
Age	69
Birthplace	Verulam
Country	South Africa
Birth City	KwaZulu-Natal
Horoscope	Taurus

Mbongeni Ngema Biography

Mbongeni Ngema is one of the most popular and richest Composer who was born on May 10, 1955 in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Ngema is proud to be from the Mbandama warrior lineage and Sigcwelegcwele kaMhlekehleke of Ngema clan, who led the Ingoba Makhosi Regiment, a pivotal regiment which defeated the British armies at Battle of Isandlwana, Anglo-Zulu war on 22 January 1879.

Ngema was invited to be a visiting lecturer in 1997 at the University of Zululand. He taught his unique artistic technique, and the university later released the first CD. He was named Artistic Director of the 2003 Cricket World Cup. In 2004, he was also appointed to the 10th anniversary celebrations of South Africa’s democracy. KZN Department of Arts, Sports and Recreation has given him the responsibility of managing and establishing the recording studio and record label, The KZN Music House, managed by his company Committed Artists.

To add to the growing list of accolades, Ngema has recently been conferred with an honorary doctorate from the Good Shepherd College of Religion, Culture and skills training. This prestige was in honour and recognition of Ngema’s service to South African music and on-going impact in the arts sector. Ngema was recently the recipient of a prestigious Life Time Achievement Award, presented to him at the Naledi Awards ceremony held in Johannesburg in 2014.

Several books and academic work have been written about Mbongeni Ngema and his celebrated works, including Nothing Except Ourselves by Laura Jones (USA), The Best of Mbongeni Ngema, The man and his music by Isabel Cooke (RSA), An investigation into the creation and interpretation in Mbongeni Ngema’s intra- cultural Theatre – N. O. Sabelo (UKZN Thesis).

Ngema’s blockbusters include Woza Albert (1990), his internationally acclaimed and highly regarded Woza Albert, and Township Fever (1990). The musical toured from the Market Theatre in the USA to the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Majest Theatre. Mama (1995), Asinamali (1996), Maria Maria (1997) and The Zulu (1999). The House of Shaka (2006) and 1906 Bhambada The Freedom Fighter.

Mbongeni Ngema Net Worth

Mbongeni Ngema is one of the richest Composer from South Africa. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Mbongeni Ngema 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

Mbongeni Nagema, born 1 June 1956, is a South African writer and lyricist. He is also a composer, director, and theatre producer. His career began as a theatre backing guitar.

He was married to Leleti Khumalo (actress, 1988 Tony Award nominee for Best Actress In a Musical for Sarafina!). Leleti Khumalo also starred in Yesterday, South Africa’s first Oscar-nominated movie.

In 1998, Ngema was inducted in the New York “Walk of Fame” in front of the Lucille Lortel Theatre in Manhattan, New York City, as one of the revered Writers of the 21st century. In 2001 during the African Renaissance festival, his name was engraved on the entrance of the City Hall in Durban alongside those of Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Miriam Makeba and other heroes of the liberation struggle.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Mbongeni Ngema height Not available right now. Mbongeni weight Not Known & body measurements will update soon.

Who is Mbongeni Ngema Dating?

According to our records, Mbongeni Ngema married to Leleti Khumalo. As of December 1, 2023, Mbongeni Ngema’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record : We have no records of past relationships for Mbongeni Ngema. You may help us to build the dating records for Mbongeni Ngema!

Facts & Trivia

Mbongeni Ranked on the list of most popular Composer. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in South Africa. Mbongeni Ngema celebrates birthday on May 10 of every year.

Top Facts about Mbongeni Ngema

1. Born in 1956 near Durban, South Africa
2. Started career as a theatre backing guitarist
3. Wrote the multi-award-winning musical Sarafina! and co-wrote the multi- award-winning Woza Albert!
4. Previously married to actress Leleti Khumalo, who received a 1988 Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for Sarafina!
5. From the lineage of the warriors Mbandama and Sigcwelegcwele kaMhlekehleke of the Ngema clan
6. Work honored with 5 Tony Award nominations, Grammy Award nomination and multi-platinum award for The Lion King
7. Appointed visiting lecturer at University of Zululand to teach his unique artistic technique
8. Inducted in the New York ‘Walk of Fame’ in 1998
9. Created musical soundtrack for Sarafina – the movie (1992)
10. Produced the KZN Music House managed by his company Committed Artists
11. Banned song Amandiya critical of Indian people of KwaZulu Natal was allowed with age restriction of 18
12. Removed from co-director of Sarafina in 2019 following allegations of sexual harassment
13. Ex-wife published memoirs in 2020 detailing alleged instances of abuse and rape
14. Honorary doctorates from University of Natal, Negro Theological College and University of Zululand
15. Participated in a song called “Take This Song” with the reggae band Third World

What did Mbongeni Ngema do?

Mbongeni Ngema, (born 1955, Verulam, S.Af.), South African playwright, composer, choreographer, and theatrical director known largely for plays that reflect the spirit of black South Africans under apartheid. Notable Works: “Asinamali!” “Mama! The Musical of Freedom” “Sarafina!” “Township Fever” “Woza Albert!”

What happened between Mbongeni Ngema and Leleti Khumalo?

In 1992, Leleti Khumalo married actor and playwriter Mbongeni Ngema, the pair met whilst filming the movie Sarafina! However, after being together for so long, Khumalo, after considering divorce for a long time woke up one morning and decided to make the divorce to Ngema official.

How old is Mbongeni Ngema?

67 years (May 10, 1955)

Is Sarafina a true story?

Sarafina! is a fictional retelling of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, a protest event against the Bantu Education system that dominated in the apartheid era.

Who is xoliswa Nduneni Ngema?

Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema is the CEO of the Joburg City Theatres (Joburg Theatre, Soweto Theatre and Roodepoort Theatre). She is also the former CEO of the South African State Theatre and former MD of Bassline. Xoliswa has a social science degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and lives in Joburg.