Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi Returns to THE LION KING as Rafiki

Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi Returns to THE LION KING as Rafiki

The Lion King is welcoming Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi back as Rafiki beginning tonight, Tuesday, September 2. Pitjeng-Molebatsi stepped into the role temporarily earlier this year and is now taking it over officially following the final performance of longtime cast member Tshidi Manye on Sunday, August 31. Pitjeng-Molebatsi joined The Lion King ensemble in 2010 and was a Rafiki understudy with the Las Vegas cast. Her journey in the show has taken …

Tshidi Manye Bids Farewell to The Lion King on Broadway After 25 Years -As The Longest-Running Rafiki

After 25 years and more than 9,000 performances, South African actress Tshidi Manye has taken her final bow as Rafiki in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway, marking the end of a record-breaking run that has etched her name into theatre history. Manye joined the Broadway company in 1997, shortly after the production’s landmark debut, and has since become synonymous with Rafiki, the wise and spirited shaman who guides Simba’s journey. Her performa…

Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi will take over as Rafiki in ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway

Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi will return to the Broadway production of “The Lion King.” Pitjeng-Molebatsi will assume the role of Rafiki in the long-running musical on Sept. 2 at the Minskoff Theatre. Pitjeng-Molebatsi will take over for departing company member Tshidi Manye, who, after playing the role for multiple tenures since 2004, will take a previously announced final bow on Aug. 31.Pitjeng-Molebatsi previously played Rafiki for a limited enga…