Recently, Themba Ndaba, a close associate of Mbongeni Ngema has reportedly claimed that a lot of his projects with the Sarafina! playwright, allegedly including Shaka Ilembe were stolen from them due to lack of finances, ZiMoja reported.
WAS ‘SHAKA ILEMBE’ STOLEN FROM MBONGENI NGEMA?
“They stole my script and the original name was Inkosi Ilembe because you cannot refer to a king by his name and say Shaka Ilembe,” Themba Ndaba was quoted as saying. According to the publication, Ndaba also claimed that he and Mbongeni Ngema produced Shaka Zulu through Bomb Pictures. He was also reported to have claimed that he and the late veteran were working on a documentary for Oliver Tambo and another one for Jacob Zuma.
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WAS THE ‘SARAFINA!’ COMPOSER WORKING ON A JACOB ZUMA DOCUMENTARY?
Mbongeni Ngema died in hospital after he was involved in a car crash on Wednesday, 27 December on the R61 in Mbizana in the Eastern Cape. His memorial service was held on Wednesday, 3 January at the Playhouse, Durban. Former President Jacob Zuma attended the service. And, according to TshisaLIVE, Zuma took to the podium and revealed that he and the late veteran were indeed set to work on a project about his life.
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“Mbongeni was not just a friend. [He was] a comrade who fought for freedom with all his might. This man was prominent worldwide in a way that educated the youth through storytelling and song. He wanted to create a story about my life. We eventually agreed that he could tell my story. Our deal was that we’d meet after Christmas,” Zuma was quoted as saying.
Ngema’s funeral will be held on Friday, 5 January at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC). The South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has accorded him a Special Provincial Funeral, SABC reported.
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