In the aftermath of her ex-husband’s death, veteran actress Leleti Khumalo is dominating trends. Khumalo was formerly married to Mbongeni Ngema, an award-winning composer, choreographer, and writer.
Ngema died in a vehicle accident on the R61 road between Mbizana and Magusheni in the Eastern Cape on December 27, 2023. According to officials, the reason of the collision remains unknown.
Despite her celebrity, Leleti Khumalo has kept her personal life private, leaving many to speculate. Over the years, Mbongeni Ngema has been credited with launching several stars, including Leleti Khumalo, into the spotlight through the award-winning film Sarafina! However, a few years later, she married Ngema, despite being 15 years younger than him.
In several interviews, Leleti Khumalo has opened up about her failed marriage to the late playwright. However, her 2014 candid interview on ‘The Close Up’ has resurfaced online.During the interview, the seasoned actress dived into their marriage.
“I would portray that I am happy, living happily and yet I’m living a disgusting and strange life. The media wasn’t after me because I was a very private person; they could not see that I was living a false life,” she said.
“I kind of had a problem with that, I even asked him, and he said he still wants to make me his wife. I continued still because I wanted to.On the day of the wedding day the wife tried to stop the ceremony,” Khumalo said.
“I wasn’t living a normal life. I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere I wanted to. Honestly, I wanted to do different plays, but it wasn’t possible. I don’t know if I could say he was jealous of me, I don’t know,” added Leleti Khumalo..
“I woke up one morning, I don’t know what sparked it, I released a statement that we were divorcing,” the seasoned actress revealed.