CELEBRATED actor Mbongeni Ngema has been roped in by the African National Congress to create a multi-million rand musical as part of the organisation's centenary celebrations.
The musical, the script of which is currently being written by Ngema, is called Number 43, referring to the ANC's safe house in Swaziland, which for 40 years was home to ANC cadres leaving the country for training overseas.
Speaking to Sowetan yesterday Ngema did not want to divulge how much has been budgeted for the musical, He revealed, though, that in terms of scale it was going to be as big as Sarafina and Gert Sibande: Lion of the East musicals - which cost millions to produce.
Gert Sibande: Lion of the East is said to have cost about R22-million. The cast for Number 43, including musicians, will number 50.
"We are still busy finalising the budget. But I can say at this stage that it will cost a few million rands to do this musical successfully. I can also confirm that I have been assigned by the ANC to do the musical.
"This story is a fitting centrepiece for the celebration of 100 years of South Africa's struggle and the ANC's existence. This is an important part of history that must be captured for legacy reasons, so that young people remember where we come from."
Number 43 in Trelawney Park, a modest house in the suburb of Manzini, Swaziland, was for many years a vital base for ANC operations. The house, which was known as KwaMagogo (grandmother's place), was owned by Rebecca Makgomo Masilela.
Freedom fighters such as President Jacob Zuma, John Nkadimeng and retired General Siphiwe Nyanda, to name just a few, have all passed through Number 43.
The musical is based on a book published in 2009 by Masilela's son, Elias Masilela.
The musical celebrates "heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle", said Ngema.
It is expected to open in July next year for a pre-run, with the grand opening at the Market Theatre in Joburg on October.
Ngema is known for seminal works such as Asinamali, Sarafina, The Zulu and Gert Sibande: Lion of the East, to name just a few. And as per Ngema's theatrical repertoire, the production will include a potpourri of music, dance and acting that has become Ngema's hallmark.
Musical for ANC centenary bash
CELEBRATED actor Mbongeni Ngema has been roped in by the African National Congress to create a multi-million rand musical as part of the organisation's centenary celebrations.
The musical, the script of which is currently being written by Ngema, is called Number 43, referring to the ANC's safe house in Swaziland, which for 40 years was home to ANC cadres leaving the country for training overseas.
Speaking to Sowetan yesterday Ngema did not want to divulge how much has been budgeted for the musical, He revealed, though, that in terms of scale it was going to be as big as Sarafina and Gert Sibande: Lion of the East musicals - which cost millions to produce.
Gert Sibande: Lion of the East is said to have cost about R22-million. The cast for Number 43, including musicians, will number 50.
"We are still busy finalising the budget. But I can say at this stage that it will cost a few million rands to do this musical successfully. I can also confirm that I have been assigned by the ANC to do the musical.
"This story is a fitting centrepiece for the celebration of 100 years of South Africa's struggle and the ANC's existence. This is an important part of history that must be captured for legacy reasons, so that young people remember where we come from."
Number 43 in Trelawney Park, a modest house in the suburb of Manzini, Swaziland, was for many years a vital base for ANC operations. The house, which was known as KwaMagogo (grandmother's place), was owned by Rebecca Makgomo Masilela.
Freedom fighters such as President Jacob Zuma, John Nkadimeng and retired General Siphiwe Nyanda, to name just a few, have all passed through Number 43.
The musical is based on a book published in 2009 by Masilela's son, Elias Masilela.
The musical celebrates "heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle", said Ngema.
It is expected to open in July next year for a pre-run, with the grand opening at the Market Theatre in Joburg on October.
Ngema is known for seminal works such as Asinamali, Sarafina, The Zulu and Gert Sibande: Lion of the East, to name just a few. And as per Ngema's theatrical repertoire, the production will include a potpourri of music, dance and acting that has become Ngema's hallmark.
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