Renowned playwright Ben Nomoyi died at the weekend following a short illness.
“Oom Ben”, as he was affectionately known, was behind television productions such as Inkedama, Deliwe, Ukhozi, Nolitye nezakhe and Footprint among many others.
The 77-year-old director also made a debut in acting on the well-known movie Inkedama in the 1970s.
He had worked with the likes of Tim Springs and Gibson Kente and was one of the first black film makers in the country whose work was featured on TV 1, now known as SABC1.
His son, Andile Sidinile, said the film legend passed away on Saturday night.
“This all started on Friday morning when he went to see a doctor but was not admitted.
“On Saturday afternoon I received a call that he was not doing so well. I asked them to take him to hospital immediately.
“It was later that day when I received the news that he had died,” said Sidinile, adding that he did not want to get into detail about his father’s illness.
Head of the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture (DSRAC) Mzolisi Matutu said Nomoyi was not only a trailblazer, but was also a great inspiration to aspiring black actors and film makers.
“He also played an enormous role in promoting isiXhosa in his film productions as uNolitye nezakhe, which was the first vernacular children’s programme and has an entry in the Guinness Book of Records,” Matutu said.
Matutu said Nomoyi worked closely with the department and was once commissioned to direct such films on Ulwaluko and Ukuthwala, as a government intervention to curb the social ills in our communities.
“The film industry is robbed of such a legend,” Matutu said.
Sidinile said the family would meet tomorrow to discuss funeral arrangements. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Playwright ‘Oom Ben’ dies after short illness
“Oom Ben”, as he was affectionately known, was behind television productions such as Inkedama, Deliwe, Ukhozi, Nolitye nezakhe and Footprint among many others.
The 77-year-old director also made a debut in acting on the well-known movie Inkedama in the 1970s.
He had worked with the likes of Tim Springs and Gibson Kente and was one of the first black film makers in the country whose work was featured on TV 1, now known as SABC1.
His son, Andile Sidinile, said the film legend passed away on Saturday night.
“This all started on Friday morning when he went to see a doctor but was not admitted.
“On Saturday afternoon I received a call that he was not doing so well. I asked them to take him to hospital immediately.
“It was later that day when I received the news that he had died,” said Sidinile, adding that he did not want to get into detail about his father’s illness.
Head of the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture (DSRAC) Mzolisi Matutu said Nomoyi was not only a trailblazer, but was also a great inspiration to aspiring black actors and film makers.
“He also played an enormous role in promoting isiXhosa in his film productions as uNolitye nezakhe, which was the first vernacular children’s programme and has an entry in the Guinness Book of Records,” Matutu said.
Matutu said Nomoyi worked closely with the department and was once commissioned to direct such films on Ulwaluko and Ukuthwala, as a government intervention to curb the social ills in our communities.
“The film industry is robbed of such a legend,” Matutu said.
Sidinile said the family would meet tomorrow to discuss funeral arrangements. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos