THE family of legendary playwright and musician Mbongeni Ngema is divided about where to bury him.
Some, especially the elders, were suggesting that he must be buried in his rural hometown in Nhlwathi, northern KZN next to his ancestors’ graves while others suggested that he should be buried in Durban with other heroes.
There were claims that Ngema wished to be buried in his rural hometown while others claimed that he wished to be buried in the place of heroes called Heroes Acre in Durban.
Ngema's younger brother, Nhlanhla Ngema, told Daily Sun that the family was divided but they managed to find the common ground and agreed that he'll be buried at Heroes Acre, Red Hill cemetery.
“During this time, things like this happen. It's true that elders were suggesting that he must be buried at Nhlwathi next to his ancestors’ graves.
“His wife Mpumelelo Gumede Ngema also revealed that Mbongeni wanted to be buried at Heroes Acre in Durban. At the end we all agreed that he must be buried in Durban as per his wishes,” he said.
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Nhlanhla said they knew Heroes Acre in Chesterville where many heroes like late Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa and veteran journalist Nat Nakasa were buried, but they were told that it is full and there is a new Heroes Acre at Red Hill.
He said burying Ngema in Durban was the family's collective decision and they were not forced by the government as the funeral was declared as a special provincial official funeral by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Nhlanhla said they were planning to have a memorial service at Mbongeni Ngema rural hometown in Nhlwathi on Thursday, 4 January, but it has been postponed for an unknown date.
He said that as the Ngema family, they know Mpumelelo Gumede-Ngema as Mbongeni's wife.
Mbongeni (68) died in a car crash on his way from the Eastern Cape to KZN on Wednesday, 27 December 2024.
