Choreographer and Idols SA judge Somizi Mhlongo dedicated a heartfelt Instagram post to his father, Ndaba Mhlongo.
Ndaba, who died in 1989, was an actor and choreographer best known for his role of Mshefane in the 1977 comedy, Inyakanyaka. He also received a Tony Award nomination for Best Choreography for his work on Mbongeni Ngema's Sarafina! in 1988.
"I sometimes take for granted or forget whose seed I am.....or too humble about it......let me pride myself.....I was birthed by the first to ever do it......NDABA WALTER MHLONGO [sic]," Somizi captioned a video on Instagram.
"...and some wonder why I am what and who I am...its no miracle......I'm the apple he is the tree.....multi talented dad.....multi award winning actor," he went on to say.
"He never got the fortune to match his talents and contributions into the arts.....FAME AND FORTUNE never became his reality.....he was just famous......and exploited...." Somizi continued, adding: "And that is why I will never compromise on my worth [sic]."
Somizi's mother, Mary Twala, who died in 2020, also featured in several South African local productions and in 2011 was nominated for an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
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