‘Good bye-bye, constable Sabela’: Sarafina! lead actress, Leleti Khumalo paid tribute to Mbongeni Ngema with an iconic dance at his funeral.
Leleti Khumalo, the iconic actress who played the lead role in the award-winning movie Sarafina! recently paid tribute to the late Mbongeni Ngema with a special dance at his funeral recently.
President Cyril Ramaphosa accorded Mbongeni Ngema a Special Provincial Funeral Category Two which took place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Friday, 5 January. Some of the attendees that were spotted at the funeral were Police Minister Bheki Cele, poet Mzwakhe Mbuli, politician Zweli Mkhize, legendary singer Yvonee Chaka Chaka, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Ngema’s ex-wife, the Sarafina! leading actress Leleti Khumalo, to mention a few, ZiMoja reported.

During an interview at the venue, Khumalo said, “These are very very sad times. It’s said for everyone, especially for the family. He basically introduced me to this industry. I was very young. I owe a lot to him. Unfortunately, he has passed. There’s nothing we can do about that. My whole career in this industry, I owe it to him. He put me on the global map. I am known throughout the world because he took me out of KwaMashu and introduced me to this industry.”
Mid-ceremony, the seasoned actress decided to joined dancers on stage as they danced an iconic dance scene from the Sarafina! movie which had guests and social media users taking a trip down memory lane.
TAKE A LOOK AT SOME REACTIONS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA USERS BELOW…
“This is our history and we fought so hard for this freedom that we are being labelled rights spoiled citizens by those who fail to hold their governments responsible. I’m not fighting but this brings a lot of traumatizing memories,” @ArchibaldRambau said.
“Felt ✊🏽 Leleti Khumalo ❤️,” @Mam_iyah reacted.
“Good bye-bye, constable Sabela. Stimela sami sasezola, stove sami samalahle, stututu sami. You will always live in our hearts. Bye-bye