It was a tragic day for the family of the late veteran playwright Dr. Mbongeni Ngema when news of his passing reached them. Dr. Ngema lost his life in a car accident while returning to Durban from a funeral in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape.
His son, Sabelo Ngema, and his wife, actress Thandeka MaZulu Ngema, have decided to honor his legacy and pay tribute to the late icon.
Sabelo Ngema and Thandeka MaZulu Ngema, who make up the Durban-based duo AfroSoul, will be featuring in Mbuso Khoza’s Isandlwana Lecture – The Musical at the Joburg Theatre from January 25th to 28th, 2024.
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This performance will commemorate their late great-grandfather, Sigcwelegcwele, who was one of the leaders during King Cetshwayo’s army in the battle of Isandlwana.
AfroSoul will sing “Ihubo” from the Ngema family as a tribute to the late Dr. Mbongeni Ngema. Sabelo reflects on his father, saying, “Madlokovu was a great father, he loved children a lot.
As a father to me, he really showed me love and support in many different ways. I remember when I was young, he even paid for my gym membership because he wanted me to be fit as an artist,” he tells ZiMoja.
Thandeka fondly remembers her father-in-law as a disciplined artist. “Bab’omncane was a very disciplined person and a great teacher,” she says. “We would disagree about who to hire or not on his shows; he did not want to let go of the older staff even if they were no longer fit,” she jokes.
“He treated me like his own daughter, he enjoyed my meals a lot. When he first heard my voice, he said I reminded him of Mpume Skhakhane, who once worked with him and is now in The Lion King.
Ubaba knew his music very well and made sure that the craft was always clean and up to standard. We will miss sharing the stage with him, him conducting the band and the choir, and also the way he loved good food with a lot of chilies. He would add chilies to every meal, even at a restaurant.”
AfroSoul, with its rich musical and theatre background, draws strength and motivation from its training. With five albums under their belt, their latest single “WeMgqibelo” has seen much success.
The invitation to perform in Mbuso Khoza’s Isandlwana Lecture – The Musical was an honor for them. Sabelo expresses his excitement, saying, “Now we are so excited to be invited to perform in Mbuso Khoza’s Isandlwana Lecture – The Musical.
It was an honor for us when Mbuso proposed that we pay tribute to our father, Dr. Mbongeni Ngema, after his passing.”
He adds, “We hope to find some healing through what ubaba loved doing: music and theatre. For the first time after his passing, I will also perform his all-time hit, ‘Stimela SaseZola.’ The audience can expect a heartfelt and yet jolly performance.”
The upcoming performance by AfroSoul in Mbuso Khoza’s Isandlwana Lecture – The Musical promises to be a moving tribute to the late Dr. Mbongeni Ngema. Through their music and stage presence, Sabelo Ngema and Thandeka MaZulu Ngema will carry on his legacy and honor the great playwright.
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