The original cast of Mbongeni Ngema‘s acclaimed musical Sarafina! will reunite for a special 56-minute performance at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg, marking their first time on stage together since 1991.
The reunion is part of “Let’s Meet at The Market Theatre,” an immersive theatrical experience running from 19 to 21 June 2026, celebrating the venue’s 50th anniversary. The production will highlight the history, works and individuals that have shaped the theatre over five decades.
Sarafina! premiered at The Market Theatre in 1987 and went on to become one of South Africa’s most successful theatrical exports. The musical, which focused on the experiences of young people during apartheid, gained international recognition.
Speaking on behalf of the cast, Nhlanhla Ngema described the reunion as both emotional and significant. “Returning to The Market Theatre with my fellow cast members is both emotional and deeply meaningful,” he said. “Sarafina! is more than a production; it is a movement that gave a voice to a generation and showcased the resilience, courage and talent of South Africans to the world.”
Ngema added that reuniting more than three decades after the cast’s last performance together was a fitting tribute to the legacy of his brother, Mbongeni Ngema, and to everyone who contributed to the production’s success. “To reunite 35 years after our last performance together, in the very institution that helped launch this historic production, is a fitting tribute to my brother’s legacy and to everyone who contributed to making Sarafina! a global phenomenon,” he said.
The original cast members expected to participate include:
- Baby Cele
- Ntombikhona Dlamini
- Lindiwe Dlamini
- Sboniso Khumalo
- Thandekile Mqadi
- Kipizane Skweyiya
- Nandi Ndlovu
- Linda Mtoba
- Lindiwe Hlengwa
- Zandile Hlengwa
- Dumisani Dlamini
- Pat Mlaba
- Nhlanhla Ngema
- Congo Hadebe
- Nkosinathi Sithole
- Mpume Shelembe
Organisers said the performance will give audiences a chance to revisit one of South Africa’s most influential theatrical works while reflecting on The Market Theatre’s role in nurturing socially conscious and groundbreaking productions.
The anniversary programme is expected to celebrate the theatre’s contribution to South African arts and culture since its founding, while highlighting its ongoing role in the country’s theatre landscape.
