A bright shining star has left us, Mbongeni Ngema gone too soon! Freedom Park mourns his passing, and we are saddened at his untimely death. While the phrase is very lightly used nowadays, I have no doubt that with the passing of Mr Ngema, we can with confidence and a heavy heart say, an era has ended!
Mbongeni Ngema, writer of the celebrated musical Sarafina was killed in a car crash on Wednesday. Ngema died just as the 1992 movie, developed with legendary jazz musician Hugh Masekela, was making a return with a screening at this year’s Cannes film festival classic section and a streaming release.
His untimely departure has seen South Africa lose a cultural icon unsurpassed in the entertainment industry. He was a creative genius. He carved an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, leaving an enduring legacy that resonates with the spirit of resistance during the challenging era of apartheid and the liberation struggle. His death is an irreplaceable loss to the country, but it is also a time to celebrate his illustrious career and life.
On behalf of the CEO, Council, Management and Staff of Freedom Park we bid farewell to an extraordinary human being and honour his contribution to a free and liberated South Africa. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entertainment industry.
