THE internationally acclaimed legendary playwright and musician Mbongeni Ngema (68) died when he was planning to write a play about the life of former President Jacob Zuma.
Msholozi revealed this during the Mbongeni memorial service at The Playhouse in Durban on Wednesday, 3 January.
Many musicians trained by Ngema and those inspired by him, mourners, friends and family, dignitaries, and politicians, including KZN premier Nomusa Dube Ncube, gathered and remembered him.
His cast from different productions, including Sarafina and Asinamali, also performed to pay tribute to him.
Watch: Mbongeni Ngema new cast of Sarafina paying tribute to him during his memorial service. @dailysunsa pic.twitter.com/rNbEVAhOwE
— Jabulani Langa (@JabulaniL2023) January 3, 2024
The popular painter Rasta also attended the memorial service and painted Ngema's portrait.
Zuma said Ngema had a long time trying to convince him to write a play about his life, and he refused and later agreed.
“When I refused, he convinced my wife maNgema who is his relative and after I received many requests. I considered him because Mbongeni knew me for a long time."
“He asked to write it down and requested a week to do it. I told him that we would do it after the Christmas holidays, and I was waiting for him to tell him my story and unfortunately, he is no more,” he said.
Watch: Former president Jacob Zuma revealing that late Mbongeni Ngema was about to write a play about his life. @dailysunsa pic.twitter.com/PiPi8jBE7c
— Jabulani Langa (@JabulaniL2023) January 3, 2024
ALSO READ: Special funeral for Mbongeni Ngema
Zuma also praised Ngema for being a polygamist like him.
Mbongeni Ngema is known for writing plays about the life of freedom fighters as he wrote endless plays like Asinamali, which was about the struggle of the late fighter Msizi Dube.
Many top actors and musicians, including Simphiwe Majozi, Thabo Mnguni, Baby Cele, Bheki Mkhwane, Mbuso Khoza, Mondli Ngcobo, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and many more attended the memorial service.
Mbongeni's younger brother Nhlanhla Ngema said their parents had seven children, but now only two remain, him and his sister Nompumelelo.
Ngema died in a car crash on his way from Eastern Cape to KZN on Wednesday, 27 December.
The Sarafina maker will be laid to rest on Friday, 5 January, in Durban. His funeral service will be held at the Durban ICC.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared his funeral as a special provincial official category two.
