Presented by Michael Mabuyakhulu, KZN MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, in conjunction with the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Lifetime Achievement Awards went to Ngema, and to Anant Singh of VideoVision Productions.
According to the award citation, Ngema won his award in recognition of his "achievement as a playwright, genius of stage and film having conceptualised the globally renowned Sarafina! production and many more artistic works". MEC Mabuyakhulu's citation went on to note, "Your selfless personality has seen you acting as a brilliant scout of artistic talent that you have groomed into international repute".
The award is the latest in a long list of public accolades received by Ngema, both at home and abroad. In 1987 his musical Asinamali! garnered a Tony Award nomination for Best Direction of a Play. The following year, Sarafina! took Broadway by storm, receiving five Tony nominations, 11 Image Awards, and a Grammy nomination.
In 2004 Ngema was placed among the Top 100 Great South Africans. In 2008 he was honoured with a Living Legend Award by Ethekwini Municipality, and earlier this month he scooped an Inaugural Recognition Award at SAMRO's first Wawela Awards in Sandton.
Ngema's latest award comes on the eve of his launching his new play, The Zulu, on a national tour, following the standing ovations it received at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown last month.
Directed by Christopher John and designed by Sarah Roberts, The Zulu is produced by Africa Ngema and presented by Committed Artists Foundation in partnership with SABC 1, with funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).
The Zulu can be seen on the first leg of its South African tour at the Imbizo Hall in Empangeni from Thursday, 25 July to Friday, 2 August 2013. Performances are at 8pm (Tuesday to Saturday) and at 3pm (Sunday). Tickets for the Empangeni run of the production are R100 (R60 for children and pensioners). Book through Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com. Tickets will also be available at the venue before the show.
Following its run in Zululand, The Zulu continues its southern African tour at the Royal Swazi Convention Centre in Mbabane, Swaziland, from 19-25 August. The Zulu will then tour to Gauteng. It will run at the Rostrum Theatre, Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria from 29 August to 15 September, before being seen at the Market Theatre, Joburg from 18 September to 26 October.
The production then runs in Durban's Playhouse Drama Theatre from 19 November to 29 December, prior to playing the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town from 27 January to 22 February, 2014.
For more information visit the Facebook page, Mbongeni Ngema's The Zulu, or log on to http://ngemasthezulu.blogspot.com or follow on Twitter @NgemasTheZulu.
