The drama involving the late award-winning playwright Mbongeni Ngema and the women who claim to be his wives is far from over. With Yolanda ’Wanda’ Moncho calling herself the customary wife of Ngema and Nompumelelo Gumede-Ngema recognised by the playwright’s family as his wife, a third woman is said to have joined the fray in wanting to be recognised as the late Ngema’s customary wife.
THEY WANT RECOGNITION
The three women made a declaratory order in the High Court to declare the customary marriage between them and Ngema valid, but there was no civil marriage, so relief is sought in terms of the Customary Marriages Act. The three women want to be recognised so that they could get a slice of his estate. The family of the popular playwright recognised Gumede as their only makoti. She even paid tribute to Ngema at his funeral last year. ZiMoja has not been informed if the trio attended his funeral or not. A source who knows the details of the order said Ngema, who is a known polygamist, wanted to add the three women as his wives.
MBONGENI NGEMA IS FAR FROM RESTING IN PEACE
At some point, Ngema has been married to Muvhango actor Leleti Khumalo, Ukhozi FM breakfast show host Nonhlanhla "Mroza" Buthelezi, Nompumelelo Gumede-Ngema, Pretoria State Theatre CEO, and Cebisile Mpungose.Being the ladies’s man that he was, Ngema had also planned on marrying his other partners, Saleha Nxumalo and Cat Mpanza, after marrying Buthelezi in 2009. This, according to... was announced during the traditional engagement ceremony (umkhehlo) at Buthelezi’s home at Dokodweni, in northern KZN. The Ngema family had to first deal with Moncho by sidelining her when she wanted to bury Ngema. Moncho claimed that Ngema was her customary law husband. ZiMoja sought comment from Moncho in light of the three women who have since come out, all claiming to be married to her husband. Her spokesperson, Pearl Maake KaNcube, said: "After consulting with our client, we regret to inform you that they have decided to decline any media engagements at this time." His son, Afrika Ngema, said this matter had nothing to do with him. "How does any of this involve me?" he asked.
