Leleti Khumalo Pays Tribute To Her Ex-husband, Mbongeni Ngema

Acclaimed actress Leleti Khumalo paid her respects to her late ex-husband, Mbongeni Ngema, at the Durban ICC.

Renowned actress Leleti Khumalo honored her ex-husband, the internationally acclaimed playwright, director, and lyricist Mbongeni Ngema, at his funeral service held on Friday, January 5, at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC).

The tragic incident that led to Ngema’s passing occurred in a crash involving a truck on the R61 in Mbizana, Eastern Cape, on December 27. He passed away shortly after receiving medical attention at Adelaide and OR Tambo Memorial Hospital.

In an interview with eNCA, the former star of ‘Imbewu: The Seed’ expressed her presence at the funeral as a show of support for the grieving Ngema family during this sorrowful time. Khumalo acknowledged the significant impact Ngema had on her career, stating that he played a pivotal role in introducing her to the entertainment industry when she was very young.

“UMadlokovu [Ngema] basically introduced me to this industry. Bengim’ncane kakhulu [I was very young], and I owe a lot to him,” she shared. Khumalo, who portrayed Sarafina in Ngema’s 1992 musical blockbuster of the same name and featured in his music videos, emphasized the global recognition she gained through his mentorship. The former couple, despite a 15-year age difference, married in 1992 and divorced in 2005.

“He put me on the global map. I am known throughout the world because he took me from Kwa-Mashu [a township north of Durban] and launched me into this industry, which I really appreciate.”

A year after their divorce, Khumalo revealed surviving domestic violence at the hands of Ngema, a celebrated theatre figure. In a 2020 interview, Ngema claimed rehabilitation and committed to combating gender-based violence as a reformed abuser.”