After the success of the prequel Mufasa: The Lion King, South African actors John Kani and Kagiso Lediga have received praise for their portrayal of the character Rafiki in the film. The movie has performed well at the Box Office, grossing over $352 million worldwide in less than a month since its release.
Despite facing tough competition from other December releases, Mufasa: The Lion King managed to top the box office charts during the festive season. It earned $63.8 million in the US and an additional $77.1 million internationally over the Christmas weekend. The film continued its success by bringing in $10 million on New Year’s Day alone.
One of the highlights of the film is the South African contribution, with music producer Lebo M returning to work on the soundtrack. Lebo M, who was part of the original composers for the 1994 Lion King movie, collaborated with Lin-Manuel Miranda on a new song called Ngomso, which is sung in Xhosa and serves as the opening track of the soundtrack.
In addition to the music, South Africans can also take pride in the performances of John Kani and Kagiso Lediga as Rafiki. Kani portrays the older and wiser Rafiki, while Lediga voices the younger version of the character. Lediga, known primarily as a comedian, brings a comedic touch to Rafiki’s dialogue, using South African words and phrases throughout the movie.
One memorable scene features a young Mufasa, Scar, and Sarabi meeting Rafiki, with the mandrill using his wit and wisdom to convince them to trust his guidance. Kani’s portrayal of the older Rafiki adds depth to the story as he narrates the tale of Mufasa to Simba’s daughter Kiara, voiced by Blue Ivy Carter.
Overall, the combination of talented South African actors, a captivating storyline, and a powerful soundtrack has made Mufasa: The Lion King a must-see film for audiences around the world. The success of the movie is a testament to the skill and creativity of the South African entertainment industry.
