Sarafina! creator Mbongeni Ngema dead at 68 in head-on car crash with a truck.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Sarafina! creator Mbongeni Ngema has died in a head-on car crash in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. He was 68.

The iconic South African playwright, producer and musician with a troubled professional and personal legacy, was returning after he had attended a funeral in the Eastern Cape of South Africa when he died in a head-on collision on Wednesday evening near Lusikisiki. 

Mbongi Ngema who was injured along with three other people in the vehicle, died before he could reach the OR and Adelaide Tambo Memorial Hospital in Mbizana.

The accident took place on the R61 in Bozana in the direction towards Magusheni when the vehicle with three passengers collided with a truck.

"Mbongeni Ngema was killed in a head-on car accident while returning from a funeral he was attending in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape," his family said in a statement.

"The Ngema family, colleagues and friends are deeply devastated about Mbongeni Ngema's passing."

Anant Singh, Sarafina! film producer, in a statement, says "We have lost a trailblazing creative talent who fearlessly brought awareness of South Africa under apartheid to a global audience using the theatre as a platform".

"Mbongeni was one of South Africa's finest multi-talented creatives – a writer, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer and theatre producer. He has left an indelible mark on South African theatre and the creative industries as a whole."

"This is clearly demonstrated by the timelessness of Sarafina! the film. Mbongeni was an inspiration and mentored many young artists who are now household names. His passing leaves a deep void but he leaves a rich legacy that will endure for posterity."

Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa's president, in a statement, says "The many productions he created or to which he contributed inspired resilience and pride among us as fellow South Africans and took South Africa and our continent into the theatres, homes and consciousness of millions of people around the world."

Mbongeni Ngema was born in Verulam in 1955 and first worked as a manual labourer and guitarist.

Through playing backing guitar in theatre productions, Mbongi Ngema rose through the ranks to write the award-winning and acclaimed Sarafina! which had its debut on Broadway in 1988 and turned into a film in 1992 with Whoopi Goldberg and Leleti Khumalo.

In 1998 he was accused of slapping a Sarafina! cast member of the New York stage production, and telling the media that "she annoyed me and the entire cast. I need ultra-discipline and that's how I get best results".

Mbongeni Ngema also penned Woza Albert in 1981 which went on to win awards worldwide, as well as Asinamali in 1983. He was also responsible for the choir direction of Disney's The Lion King animation film.

Mbongeni Ngema is also known for his albums and songs like Township Fever, Laduma, Woza My Fohloza, Jive Madlokovu and Stimela Sase Zola. He received a lifetime achievement award in 2014 from the Naledi Theatre Awards.

Mbongeni Ngema also appeared in the lead role of miner Patrick Gumede in e.tv's Gold Diggers telenovela.

His Sarafina 2 theatre production in 1996 was marred in controversy and financial corruption, including massive criticism over its inaccuracies about HIV/Aids and the Aids pandemic in South Africa. 

Out of R40 million earmarked by the European Union (EU) to raise Aids awareness in South Africa, a whopping R14.27 million was given to Mbongeni Ngema for Sarafina 2 in which an older Leleti Khumalo played a social worker.

Mbongeni Ngema married Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema in 1982 but he was having an affair with Leleti Khumalo which led to a divorce in which she cited physical and sexual abuse. 

Mbongeni Ngema eventually married the Sarafina!-star he had an extramarital affair with, but they also divorced in 2005 after 14 years.

Sarafina to dance again on e.tv on Youth Day for 30th anniversary.

by Thinus Ferreira

To celebrate 2022's Youth Day in South Africa and the 30th anniversary of Sarafina! starring Leleti Khumalo and Whoopi Goldberg, e.tv will roll out the red carpet for cinema showings on Wednesday and broadcast the musical drama film on Youth Day on Thursday.

e.tv first broadcast the Anant Singh produced and Darrell Roodt directed Sarafina! 20 years ago with the movie which was filmed at Morris Isaacson High School in Soweto, telling the story of the 1976 Soweto student uprising in the country, with a local and international cast including Whoopi Goldberg, John Kani, Leleti Khumalo and Miriam Makeba.

Sarafina! will be in South African cinemas again on Wednesday this week, with e.tv doing red carpet showings at Nu Metro in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, before broadcasting Sarafina! on Youth Day on Thursday on e.tv at 15:05.

"Sarafina! has remained an audience favourite and an important film in South African cinema. We are proud to partner with Videovision Entertainment to bring Sarafina! back to e.tv to celebrate this milestone," says e.tv content specialist, Marisa Hendricks.

Sarafina! had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival 30 years ago and was released shortly thereafter at cinemas in South Africa.

Anant Singh who recently attended the Cannes Film Festival again, says "It was a truly nostalgic moment for me when I was walking on the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals where I met officials of the festival who could scarcely believe that it was 30 years since the momentous world premiere in Cannes".

"My journey with Sarafina! began 35 years ago when I saw the play at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg."

"I was moved and felt that I had to make a film about this amazing play. I was able to secure the film rights from Mbongeni Ngema and the rest is history."

"The important aspect for me was that Sarafina! was based on the watershed event of 16 June 1976 which changed the course of South Africa's history. Sarafina! was made shortly after Nelson Mandela was released from prison and we were fortunate to have had his support to make the film and have him as guest of honour at the South African premiere of the film."

"Today, 30 years later, we are delighted to be sharing our film, which perpetuates the contribution of the heroes of 1976 to our democracy, with the viewers of e.tv."

Coronavirus: VideoVision Entertainment has made 10 iconic South African films available for free online streaming.

by Thinus Ferreira

Videovision Entertainment and Anant Singh has made 10 iconic South African films available for free online streaming during South Africa's Covid-19 national lockdown period.

The films can be accessed on the Videovision Entertainment portal on Vimeo at: https://vimeo.com/showcase/6915595.

"For the first time in the modern age, South Africa and the entire world faces a health threat of unprecedented proportions, with uncertainty and concern," says Anant Singh.

"While our president implemented measures to quell the rapid spread of the Covid-19 with the lockdown, we felt it important to offer some of our films to our nation for free viewing online.  We have selected films that are firm favourites among South Africans."

"I commend President Cyril Ramaphosa, his cabinet and the members of the National Command Council for the swift action taken and the implementation of programmes that will hopefully quell the impact of the Covid-19 virus on our people."

"It is encouraging that initiatives like the Solidarity Response Fund have garnered support and I am delighted to be a participant. I urge all South Africans to take the necessary precautions against the virus and continue to practise good hygiene. May all South Africans be safe during this lockdown period and beyond. God bless us all."

The 10 films available to watch for free are:

1. Sarafina!, based on the stage musical, is an inspirational film about the youth uprising of 16 June 1976, and stars Leleti Khumalo, John Kani, Robert Whitehead, Miriam Makeba, Somizi Mhlongo and Whoopi Goldberg.

2. Bones, South Africa’s comedy hit with Leon Schuster.

3. Yesterday, the first South African film nominated for an Oscar starring Leleti Khumalo and directed by Darrell James Roodt.

4. 2010 – Once in a Lifetime, which focuses on the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the excitement and jubilation that this global event brought to South Africa and the African continent.

5. Red Dust, an intense, courtroom drama on the backdrop of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, starring Oscar winners Hilary Swank and Chiwetel Ejiofor with Jamie Bartlett.

6. Celebrating Mandela One Hundred, traces Madiba’s life from his roots in the Transkei, to becoming one of the greatest leaders the world has seen.

7. Countdown to Freedom, documents the 10 days leading up to our democratic elections and culminates with Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as president, and includes exclusive access to Nelson Mandela as he took the final steps on his walk from prisoner to president.

8. A Hero For All, follows the activities of president Nelson Mandela from the run-up to South Africa’s first democratic elections and throughout his presidency.

9. Paljas, based on the classic Afrikaans book and directed by Katinka Heyns, explores the life of a Karoo family whose lives are changed for the better when a travelling circus leaves behind a clown.

10. Ahmed Kathrada: A Man for All Seasons, follows the struggle veteran Ahmed Kathrada’s extraordinary life journey as an activist, a Rivonia trialist, a Robben Island prisoner through to his post-prison activities and the founding of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.

Uzalo, Igazi top the TV ratings; Sarafina the most watched programme on e.tv in June in Youth Day as Mzansi Magic shows draw more viewers than SABC3's Isidingo.

Uzalo on SABC1 remains the undisputed most-watched show on South African television with both a higher AR and a bigger share than Generations, while pay-TV shows Igazi and Our Perfect Wedding on Mzansi Magic both grab more viewers than the free-to-air soap Isidingo on SABC3.

During June the Durban-produced Uzalo continued to prove its mettle, grabbing a 24.6 audience rating (AR) with 8.27 million viewers and a 66.3 share for its most watched episode, higher than Mfundi Vundla's Generations with a 23.8 AR and 8.01 million viewers (66.2 share).

Surprisingly, the most watched programme on e.tv during the entire month of June was the 1992-film Sarafina! that was shown for free at cinemas countrywide on Youth Day and on e.tv on the same day.

The Darrell Roodt directed film with Leleti Khumalo and Whoopi Goldberg that incidentally shows scenes of public protest violence and property destruction – visuals banned on the SABC as part of boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s news censorship decree – drew 5.6 million viewers (16.7 AR) to e.tv on Youth Day.

After Sarafina!, weekday soaps Scandal!, Rhythm City and Ashes to Ashes continue to deliver, ranking respectively 2nd, 3rd and 4th as most watched e.tv shows with 4.9 million, 3.6 million and 3.25 million viewers in June.

The new Disney deal with e.tv immediately payed off: Marvel movies dominated the most-watched list of e.tv's 20 highest rated programmes in June with Thor: The Dark World (2.51 million), Thor (2.46 million), Avengers Assemble (2.41 million) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2.16 million) that outdrew popular programming like WWE Smackdown.

On SABC2 Muvhango remains the most watched show (5.8 million), while more viewers are watching a repeat of Skwizas (3.1 million) than the first-run broadcast (1.89 million) – the same happens with It’s Gospel Time, where viewers watch the repeat (1.6 million) more than the original airing (1.1 million).

SABC3 rating set to fall?

On SABC3 The Bold and the Beautiful remained the most watched show (1.49 million), followed by Isidingo (1.19 million) and Days of Our Lives (1.09 million) that Hlaudi Motsoeneng ordered off the SABC airwaves along with other international content although it's performing very well for the channel.

Out of the top 20 most watched programming on SABC3 during June, 12 were international shows and films.

It's unlikely that new and already widely panned local programming – like Divas of Jozi that replaced Survivor – will draw more viewers than the American shows its replacing. It means that the overall viewership and audience share of SABC3 will very likely fall from July, something that will affect advertising tariffs on the rate card.

Mzansi Magic soaps performing well

On M-Net (DStv 101) Carte Blanche remains the perenially most watched programme but its sister pay-TV channel Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) that surprises.

Local soap Igazi (1.28 million) and Our Perfect Wedding (1.22 million) as the most watched two shows during June on Mzansi Magic that is a pay-TV channel, now has more viewers than Isidingo although the Endemol produced soap is on a free-to-air channel.

Reality show Living the Dream with Somizi is the 6th highest rated show on Mzansi, with Isibaya 3rd. Ring of Lies will likely be back for another season since it's the 8th most watched show (346 924) on the channel.

Meanwhile SABC Encore (DStv 156), the rerun library TV channel with apartheid era shows from the SABC archives that MultiChoice pays millions of rands for, continues to struggle.

SABC Encore that turned one year old in May, struggled to lure more than a measly 90 000 viewers for its most watched show, Matswakabele, with viewership dramatically falling off to a paltry 25 822 viewers for Agter Elke Man as the 20th most watched show on the archive channel.

Sarafina! shown for free on Youth Day, 16 June, at cinemas across South Africa and on e.tv - but not on the SABC.

The film Sarafina! will be shown for free in cinemas and on e.tv on Youth Day on Thursday - but not on the SABC.

For the 40th anniversary of the "Soweto Uprising" on 16 June 1976, e.tv will broadcast Sarafina! on Thursday at 20:30 and repeated on Friday morning at 00:15, with another showing on the eMovies+ channel on OpenView HD chanel 107 on Saturday 18 June at 18:00.

"Sarafina! is a movie that best portrays the significant history and role of the youth of 1976. Our viewers should expect to be empowered and educated," says Marlon Davids, the acting managing director of e.tv's channels division.

The film, set in Soweto, will also be shown for free at cinemas on Thursday across South Africa at 12:00.

e.tv, VideoVision Entertainment, United International Pictures, Ster-Kinekor, Nu Metro and Times Media are working together to screen Sarafina! with Leleti Khumalo, John Kani and Whoopi Goldberg, and directed by Darrell Roodt.

Sarafina!, made in 1992, follows the story of a group of students who publicly protest against police presence in their schools during South Africa's Apartheid. The film contains scenes of violence, public protests and damage of property during protests.

The SABC's chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng controversially announced at the end of May that the SABC will censor with immediate effect all visuals on SABC TV News of public protest as it pertains to the destruction of property.

"Sarafina! has been an inspiration to me, firstly in getting the film made, and then being inspired by how it was embraced by the people of South Africa and the rest of the world," says producer Anant Singh in a statement.

Cinemas that will show Sarafina! on 16 June include: Baywest, Bedford Centre, Blue Route, Bridge, Brooklyn, Canal Walk, Carlton Centre, Clearwater, East Rand Mall, Eastgate, Eikestad, Galleria, Gateway, The Glen, Key West, Kolonnade, Loch Logan Development, Maponya Mall, Menlyn Park, Mimosa, Mooi River, Newtown Junction, Northcape (Kimberley), Parow, The Pavilion, Sandton, Southgate, Sterland Centre, TygerValley, Vaal Mall, Nu Metro V&A and Walmer Park.

In Kwa-Zulu Natal, Videovision Entertainment has teamed up with the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission for community screenings from 20 to 26 June in Umlazi, Clermont, Chesterville, KwaMashu and The Bat Centre.

In Johannesburg the The Soweto Theatre will show Sarafina! until 19 June and at the Jo’burg Theatre between 20 and 25 June. In Cape Town the film will be screened for school children from the Athlone and Mitchells Plain areas on 22 June.