The campaign to rename the Durban Playhouse in honour of the late Mbongeni Ngema echoed strongly during the funeral service of the renowned playwright.
Representing the creative industry, musician and producer Sello “Chicco” Twala passionately advocated for this renaming during Ngema’s special provincial funeral at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) on Friday.
Ngema, who tragically lost his life in a car crash on the R61 in the Mbizana area of the Eastern Cape on December 27, was remembered by Twala as a fearless artist. Ngema’s insistence on composing and performing struggle songs during a time when it was illegal to do so left an indelible mark.
“All the protest songs that we created were because of his bravery against the Afrikaners, we were scared of them. He is the man who made some of us what we are today,” Twala emphasized.
Wide Support for the Proposal
The proposal received overwhelming support from mourners, dignitaries, and speakers present at the funeral, including ANC KwaZulu-Natal deputy chairperson and health MEC Nomagugu Simelane, premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, and fellow producer Mandla KaNozulu Kheswa.
ALSO READ: Oscar Pistorius Released From Prison 11 Years After Girlfriend’s Murder
Speaking on behalf of the sports, arts, and culture ministry, Zizi Kodwa revealed that renaming the Playhouse was among the options discussed with the Durban Playhouse to honour Ngema’s legacy.
“In the days following his passing, we’ve been discussing with Playhouse how best to honor this global icon… Some of the proposals are to rename Playhouse, to rename the Opera Theatre, where most of his productions were done, and to have a statue of him outside the Playhouse,” Kodwa said.
Kodwa stressed the importance of recognizing artists’ contributions while they are still alive, advocating for naming various landmarks to acknowledge their influence.
ALSO READ: Video Of Mondli Ngcobo’s Baby Mama Crying Because of Him Angers Mzansi After She Committed Suicide
“We need to give them flowers while they can still smell them. We must name rivers, streets, build academies, oceans, mountains, and buildings after them in recognition of their contribution while they can see and walk past those monuments,” he added.
Ngema’s Legacy Projects
Entrepreneur Sihle Bam disclosed that Ngema had two legacy projects in progress at the time of his passing. The first was the Mbongeni Ngema Academy in Durban, for which accreditation was granted in June 2023. Ngema envisioned officially opening the academy in the first week of April at a specific location on the corner of Anton Lembede and Samora Machel streets.
“He was very excited about his academy. He had spoken to so many people and experts in the education sector,” Bam revealed.
The second project involved establishing the Mbongeni Ngema Museum of African Greatness, aiming to narrate Ngema’s story as an artist and celebrate contemporaries like Miriam Makeba, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, and Brenda Fassie. Plans included a six-month exhibition in 2024.