A lion on big and small screen
SA star Gumbi celebrated as a Shaka of the stage by fellow actors and the fraternity
ANDILE GUMBI was made for the lead role in Daniel The Musical.
His name was an anagram of Daniel.
The director Joe Niemand said for the journey to even begin the production was a walk in faith.
Niemand had just recorded his own album and said he had received a message from God to tell the story of Daniel.
“I started walking into the direction and supernatural things started to happen.
“We needed to trust the Lord for every step of the way. We didn’t have a theatre. The moment we started on that journey the Lord started to reveal things to us. Andile was part of not just a commercial project, it was ordained by God for October 2019.”
Niemand said he didn’t meet Gumbi until six days before rehearsals started.
“We were looking for someone who was anointed. This was not just a musical it was something God was doing. I only had two questions for him.
“I asked Andile how he felt about Israel and if he was the guy for the job. We shook hands and that was it. God knew what would happen.”
Gumbi had taken ill before going into cardiac arrest on October 15 while in hospital at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel.
He was starring as one of the lead characters, King Nebu, but died on October 25.
Fellow Isibaya actor Muzi Mthabela gave the motivational message at the service. “We don’t know why his time was cut off. God gave us all time to serve. That was his ministry. There was a moment in King Kong and he was walking down the steps and I was in awe of the power he portrayed on that stage. He was a young man who embodied what Christ had given him on this land.”
Mthabela said that those gathered at the memorial for Gumbi at the Assemblies of God in Sandton were there to thank him for using his Godgiven skill to the best of his ability.
“It’s abnormal for young people to be dying like this. We are under serious spiritual attack. It’s time for us to stand up and tell Satan he has no portion in our lives.”
Programme director Joel Zuma, who met Gumbi in 2017 during the King Kong production, said: “I do not understand it yet but maybe it will sink in. Right now I don’t have words. Let’s be encouraged to celebrate his life.”
Actors Lillian Dube, Nthati Moshesh, Winnie Ntshaba and the cast of Isibaya also attended the service. Cast from King Kong and Lion King sang songs from the musicals in tribute to Gumbi.
Ron Kunene, one of the creatives for The Lion King, said: “Lebo M was convinced we would find a young unknown actor who would fill the role of Simba. When I came to see Lion King and heard Andile sing, Can You Feel The Love Tonight, I knew they did what they sought to do.
“The man was fierce and fearless. He exuded the spirit of the Nguni, tough beyond the character.”
Gumbi was the first South African to play the role of Simba on Broadway. “He made history.
“He was a man of artistic integrity and excellence.”
Bomb Shelter Productions’ Desiree Markgraaff shared some of her favourite moments with Gumbi while he played the role of Zweli on the show.
“He was born to be a king. He played a king not only as Simba and King Kong but also in Isibaya.
“He had that magic quality, not just striking looks, he had that magic thing called screen presence.
“We saw what a great talent he was on stage, over the course of three years the role challenged him and took him on a journey as he became a man,”
Markgraaff said.
In June this year, Bomb Productions started the search for the character to play the main character for the project of Shaka Ilembe.
The last time Markgraaff was with Gumbi was when they were doing a photo shoot for the project.
“Many people could tell you Andile would play the role well.
“He made himself available. It was a dream of his and he made himself available and looked so magnificent. We will remember him as Shaka.”
Gumbi’s fellow Sarafina production cast members also paid tribute to him singing the musical rendition of The Lord’s Prayer.
Other speakers included his colleagues from Rhythm City and Uselwa.
Khaya Mthethwa gave the word of God before the memorial service came to a close.
Gumbi is survived by his parents, his wife Hlengiwe Ngcongo, and his four-year-old son Bhekani.
Gumbi will be buried in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.