Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema’s journey is one of unwavering passion and resilience. From the township of Daveyton to the bright lights of Broadway, she carved her own path in the South African theatre world, rising from humble beginnings to Sarafina! fame . Her memoir Heart of a Strong Woman: From Daveyton to Sarafina! My Story of Triumph charts this inspiring journey, highlighting her accomplishments, personal growth, and the cultural impact of her work.

A Passion for Theatre: Xoliswa fell in love with theatre at a young age and even dreamed of becoming an actress. She soon discovered that her true calling was behind the scenes – she had a talent for managing and producing shows . This passion led her to a fateful meeting with a rising star of South African theatre, Mbongeni Ngema, in the early 1980s. Together, they co-founded the production company Committed Artists, which birthed the iconic musical Sarafina! that eventually became a Broadway hit . Xoliswa’s formidable role in producing Sarafina! helped bring South Africa’s story to the world stage, as the musical celebrated the spirit of youth during the apartheid struggle.