Sarafina! At Pretoria State Theatre

Mbongeni Ngema

Sarafina! is a musical film that shares the story of the struggle against apartheid used to be faced by school children in Soweto, South Africa. This play is based on the Soweto riots, when learners opposed that Afrikaans should be a medium of instruction in school. The play by Mbongeni Ngema was first staged in June 1987 at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg.

The Musical theatre was written and directed by Mbongeni Ngema, who also wrote a book, composed and arranged the music which is Mbhaqanga.

On the 28^th of January 1987, the play was moved and premiered to the Broadway, New York, where it was well received by the audience.

Sarafina was originally written for theatre, where it received a Tony-award. 

Leleti Khumalo(Sarafina) is known for being a feisty school learner who is  passionately opposed to Apartheid and having the system of having Afrikaans as a medium of instructions in school in 1976. With the success of this play, Leleti Khumalo received a Tony Award nomination for best actress and the play as whole five nominations.



In 1992, Sarafina!,directed by Darrell Roodt and Mbongeni Ngema, became the first film to be shot in a South African township, starring Whoopie Goldberg, Mirriam Makeba, Leleti Khumalo, John Kani and Tertuis Mentjies

The talented 23-year-old, Noxolo Dlamini, the former University of Pretoria dramatic arts student, had big shoes to fill as she was chosen to be next Sarafina, by playwright and composer Mbongeni Ngema.

“I am honoured and privileged to work with big names like ubaba Ngema, and the experienced cast of Sarafina. This is a nerve-wrecking opportunity and I have to fill the big shoes of Mama Leleti Khumalo, whom I look up to so much.” Says dlamini    

Tickets sold like hot cakes, Sarafina! made its appearance at the Pretoria State Theatre from the 24^th February 2017- 03^rd March 2017. This year marks 40 years of the Soweto Student Uprisings.

This play is important for South African history, because it show cast that not only is racism bound by colour, however culture, language and continents too. Sarafina! is an inspiration to stand up for what is right, who knows? Maybe you’re all it takes to make a difference.