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Mbongeni Ngema, the South African creator of the Whoopi Goldberg film “Sarafina!”, has died in a car accident. He was 68 years old.
Ngema's family announced his death in a statement, revealing that he was killed in a head-on collision while returning from a funeral he had attended in Lusikisiki, South Africa. He was a passenger in the vehicle.
Ngema is best known for the musical “Sarafina!”, which premiered on Broadway in 1988 and was adapted into a vehicle for Goldberg in 1992.
It told the story of a young student's struggle against racial segregation in apartheid South Africa after her teacher was imprisoned.
Ngema was a writer, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer and theater producer. His other major credits include vocal arrangement on The Lion King.
In a statement, Sarafina! Producer Anant Singh said: “We have lost a groundbreaking creative talent who fearlessly brought awareness to apartheid South Africa to a global audience and used theater as a platform.”
“He has had a lasting impact on South African theater and the creative industry as a whole. This is clearly evident in the timelessness of Sarafina! the film
“Mbongeni was an inspiration and mentor to many young artists who are now household names. His death leaves a deep void, but he leaves behind a rich legacy that will be preserved for posterity.”
Sarafina! premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and returned this year as part of the event's Cannes Classics series.