Famous Mzansi actress Leleti Khumalo honoured Mbongeni Ngema by doing the “Sarafina!” freedom dance at his funeral.
Mbongeni Ngema’s passing came as a shock to us all. A provincial special funeral was held in his honour. The playwright and composer passed away after being involved in a car accident. His funeral was attended by his wife, Leleti Khumalo, and more dignitaries.
Iconic “Sarafina!” actress Leleti Khumalo spoke to eNCA at the funeral about how Ngema changed her life. She said,
“This is a very sad time. It’s sad for everyone, especially for the family. I am here to support.”
“U Madlokovu basically introduced me to this industry. I was still very young, and I owe a lot to him. Unfortunately, he has passed, there’s nothing we can do about that, but my whole career in this industry…I owe it to him. He introduced me and put me on the global map. I am known throughout the world because he took me from Kwa-Mashu and put me in this industry.”
Siphamandla Goge wrote that “as the committee of artists were performing the famous “Sarafina” soundtrack, “Freedom Is Coming Tomorrow”, Khumalo stood up and joined them on stage, reliving that acclaimed moment once more.”
#MbongeniNgema "Freedom is coming tomorrow." Committed artists joined by Leleti Khumalo perfom at the funeral service of the late Mbongeni Ngema at the ICC Arena in Durban. #eNCApic.twitter.com/R4oGkrd2dj
— Siphamandla Goge (@SiphamandlaGoge) January 5, 2024
