Hundreds of people, including family members, politicians and other dignitaries, packed the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton late on Wednesday to pay homage to one of Port Elizabeth’s most celebrated sons, Winston Zola Ntshona.
The award-winning actor, playwright and author died after a long illness at the age of 76 in New Brighton on Thursday last week.
The Tony Award winner had worked alongside equally celebrated fellow South African arts professional Athol Fugard on several occasions, and notably wrote the 1973 play The Island with Fugard and theatre great John Kani.
Wednesday’s memorial was a vibrant, musical affair with attendants celebrating Ntshona’s life, character and achievements through song and dance – much of which was provided by a troupe of Bay artists.
The function was opened by programme director Lelethu Mahambehlala, who was succeeded on the podium by former Springboks manager Zola Yeye, also a former general manager of the SABC.
Alongside musical tributes and sermons, a number of guests paid tribute to the theatre great, including a family friend, representatives of sports, theatre and of the PAC.
Bay mayor Athol Trollip and Eastern Cape department of sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC Buyelwa Tunyiswa also spoke. The Ntshona family was represented on the podium by Thozamile Ntshona, and his wife Vuyi, oldest son Xolo Cola and nephew Wakule Tshabangu were in the audience.
Yeye spoke of Ntshona’s early foray into rugby through the Springrose Rugby Football Club, saying his rugby career had come to an end after he was injured.
“But he then became involved in administration of the sport and was still there to motivate us and inspire us.”
Yeye said Ntshona had helped him to develop his public speaking abilities and credited him for being able to motivate the people around him.
Ntshona had also taught a young Yeye the value of time and punctuality.
Speaking on the sidelines of the memorial, Johannesburg-based Tshabangu highlighted Ntshona’s humility, saying his uncle had been a great role model to family, his community and the people around him.
“He had the ability to teach people things with humility and as such was respected as a person and as a professional,” Tshabangu said.
Among other achievements, Ntshona scooped a Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Play, a Golden Horn Lifetime Achievement Award and an Obie Award for Special Citations.