The writer behind the acclaimed musical “Sarafina” Mbongeni Ngema has lost his life in a fatal car crash.
According to The South African, his family confirmed that he was killed in a car crash on Wednesday.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved brother, father, husband and a patriot, Mbongeni Ngema,” the family said in a statement.
"Ngema was killed in a head-on car accident whilst returning from attending a funeral in Eastern Cape province," the statement added.
Ngema is said to have passed on at the age of 68.
He was a writer, actor, choreographer, composer and singer.
Ngema was well known as he was the writer of the acclaimed musical Sarafina featuring student riots in apartheid Soweto.
“Sarafina” made Ngema a pan-African music star.
A stage version had earlier played on New York’s Broadway for two years. It was nominated for Tony and Grammy awards.
The film starred Leleti Khumalo, who had been in the stage version and later married Ngema, and Whoopi Goldberg.
Ngema also co-wrote the 1981 play “Woza Albert” with Percy Mtwa and Barney Simon.
It is a satirical look at the plight of black people in white-dominated South Africa, the play toured Europe and North America.
"His works reflected the spirit of resistance during the apartheid and liberation struggle," the family said.
Some of his hit songs included "Stimela sa se Zola", also made with Masekela.
