'Being Zulu one of the biggest world brands'

27 October 2009 - 02:00
By Canaan Mdletshe

WORLD-PLAYWRIGHT, stage director, musician, actor and producer Mbongeni Ngema has called for the "redirection of the mindset of the youth from the new urban culture" that is taking centre stage.

WORLD-PLAYWRIGHT, stage director, musician, actor and producer Mbongeni Ngema has called for the "redirection of the mindset of the youth from the new urban culture" that is taking centre stage.

Ngema, 54, is known for being a proud Zulu and a traditionalist.

"As black people and Zulus we have a huge task ahead of us and that is to change the mindset of the youth about this new trend of urban culture. The Zulu brand is one of the biggest brands in the world after Coca-Cola and Castle, but it is not marketed like those two," Ngema said.

"Whenever a black person goes to any part of the world and says that he is from South Africa, the first question has always been: "Are you a Zulu?"

"This is not because Zulus are the only people living in South Africa but being Zulu is a brand".