Age, Biography and Wiki

Gibson Kente (Gibson Mthuthuzeli Kente) was born on 23 July, 1932 in Duncan Village, Eastern Cape, South Africa, is a South African playwright. Discover Gibson Kente's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 72 years old?

Popular As Gibson Mthuthuzeli Kente
Occupation Playwright · composer · director · producer
Age 72 years old
Zodiac Sign Cancer
Born 23 July 1932
Birthday 23 July
Birthplace Duncan Village, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Date of death 7 November, 2004
Died Place Soweto, South Africa
Nationality South Africa

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 23 July. He is a member of famous Playwright with the age 72 years old group.

Gibson Kente Height, Weight & Measurements

At 72 years old, Gibson Kente height not available right now. We will update Gibson Kente's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
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Who Is Gibson Kente's Wife?

His wife is Evelyn Nomathemba Kasi (1969–1979)

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Evelyn Nomathemba Kasi (1969–1979)
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Gibson Kente Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Gibson Kente worth at the age of 72 years old? Gibson Kente’s income source is mostly from being a successful Playwright. He is from South Africa. We have estimated Gibson Kente's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Playwright

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Timeline

1932

Gibson Mthuthuzeli Kente (23 July 1932 – 7 November 2004) was a South African playwright, composer, director, and producer based in Soweto.

He was known as the Father of Black Theatre in South Africa, and was one of the first writers to deal with life in the South African black townships.

Gibson Kente was born on 23 July 1932 in Duncan Village, Eastern Cape raised in Stutterheim by his mother.

He was educated at Bethel Training College Seventh-Day Adventist college in Butterworth until he moved to Lovedale Training College to complete his matric.

1956

In 1956 Kente moved to Johannesburg to study social work at the Jan H. Hofmeyr School of Social Work.

He never completed his studies; instead he joined a group known as Union of South African Artists (Union Artists) who were based at Dorkay House in central Johannesburg.

The Union Artists offered black performers in South Africa training, royalty contracts and fair payment.

1963

He produced 23 plays and television dramas between 1963 and 1992.

He is also responsible for producing some of South Africa's leading musicians.

Many prominent artists, including Brenda Fassie, owe their first opportunities on stage to him.

In 1963, Kente produced his first play, Manana, The Jazz Prophet, which featured celebrated musicians Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbulu.

The play focused on Manana, a gospel preacher and prophet, whose main concern was to bring everybody to the Christian faith.

1966

In 1966, he wrote the musical Sikalo, which blended African gospel and township jazz.

The musical was performed at the University of the Witwatersrand Great Hall.

Kente's plays were popular for using township popular culture, slang, fashion, and topical issue to reflect on daily life.

His success with his first two plays motivated him to leave the Union Artists to start his own training centre and production company, GK Productions.

He trained famous South African artists and entertainers such as Brenda Fassie, Nomsa Nene, and Mbongeni Ngema in the garage of his home in Dube, Soweto.

Kente also wrote music for artists such as Miriam Makeba and Letta Mbulu.

Three of his plays drew criticism for being anti-apartheid (Segregation) and were banned: How Long, I Believe and Too Late.

1969

He married Drum cover-girl Evelyn Nomathemba Kasi in 1969 and they had three children.

1975

First performed in 1975, his play one-act play Too Late was banned by the Publications Control Board because it dealt with the death of Ntanana, a crippled girl, through brutal police action and apartheid bureaucracy.

Another of his plays I Believe, was also banned.

Another famous piece is Mama and the load.

1976

He was jailed for one year in 1976 on conclusion of the filming of his play How Long.

The film was never released and the master negative of the film was given to the National Film Board in Pretoria.

The National Film, Video and Sound Archives is the current custodian of this film.

1979

They were divorced in 1979.

1989

In 1989, his Soweto home was firebombed burning early scripts and records.

The garage at his home served as rehearsal room, set construction workshop, training centre and storeroom for GK Productions.

It is estimates that before his death, Kente wrote 23 plays and three television dramas.

Kente began his last play, The Call, when he was diagnosed HIV positive.

It is a musical about a man living with HIV who brings hope to others with the disease.

1997

In 1997, the 30-seater Bra Gibson Kente Theatre was opened in Sharpeville.

1998

In 1998, the Civic Theatre presented a tribute to him called A Tribute to Gibson Kente.

Associate Professor Emeritus Rolf Solberg of Norway wrote an account of the playwright’s life and work in Bra Gib: Father of South Africa's Township Theatre.

2003

In 2003 he announced that he was HIV Positive.

This public admission received praise from South African politicians, including Nelson Mandela.

2004

He was admitted into the care of a hospice in Soweto, where he was cared for until he died in his sleep on 7 November 2004.