Linda Ximba Report
Two years after his premature death, the esteemed playwright and musician Mbongeni Ngema’s legacy endures as his academy in Durban prepares to launch the careers of aspiring creatives next week.
Prior to Ngema’s tragic car accident in Mthatha, he had grand aspirations to rejuvenate the academy he founded in 1992. This institution produced renowned works such as Asinamali, the globally acclaimed Sarafina, Township Fever, among others.
His son, Africa Ngema, who serves as a Director, along with Sihle Bam, the Academy’s CEO, have committed themselves to fulfilling the icon’s vision of discovering talent by revitalizing the academy. Bam stated, “In October of this year, we discreetly began enrolling 20 students who participated in an intensive eight-week course concentrating on acting, music, and dance. This will culminate in their graduation ceremony on December 12 at the Bat Centre in Durban.
A production created by the students will be showcased for parents and attendees on that day.”
Africa expressed, “We are incredibly excited to have reached this point, even though we did not receive government funding and had to invest from our own resources. This represents a significant achievement for us, and we believe Madlokovu is smiling down from heaven, witnessing the continuation of his legacy. Next year, we plan to expand the program to three months, from February to March, accommodating 100 students in Durban and another 100 in Pietermaritzburg.”
The pair also shared their excitement regarding Ngema’s yet-to-be-released film, This Is My Story, which has already won two awards: the Simon Mabhunu Awards and the Umlazi International Film Festival. “This clearly demonstrates the magnitude of the icon and brand that Madlokovu represented. We encourage everyone to anticipate its screening in Johannesburg before the year concludes,” they concluded.
