We are thrilled to welcome Bongi Duma (Sbongiseni) as a Wild Tomorrow Ambassador. Bongi is a South African–born and raised Zulu artist who has built an international career as an award-winning composer, singer, actor, recording artist, and music producer. He is best known for his long-standing role in NYC’s Broadway production of The Lion King, where he has performed since 2004. Bongi has been an inspiring Ambassador of Zulu culture across his life, and we are delighted to welcome him officially to our team, as an Ambassador for Wild Tomorrow. Learn more about Bongi and his incredible story in our blog below.

Bongi at The Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve

Bongi’s Early Years

Bongi was born in Umlazi Township near Durban but grew up in the village of UMthwalume. It was there that he first developed a deep connection to nature. His late grandfather was a traditional herbalist, and Bongi often accompanied him into the forest to collect medicinal plants. Through these experiences, he learned about different species and the importance of balancing human needs with the protection of the natural world.

Throughout his career, Bongi has collaborated with a wide range of celebrated artists and prestigious institutions, including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall through its Musical Explorers program, and Princeton University Glee Club. He has also performed and recorded alongside renowned musicians such as Miriam Makeba, Angélique Kidjo, Somi (singer), Michael Franti, and Stjepan Hauser of 2Cellos.

In his early years, Bongi founded his own acappella group, African Heroes, which participated in numerous national performances and competitions before eventually touring internationally. He later spent more than five years across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, and Germany, performing and teaching Zulu music, language, and culture to both students and professional artists.

Bongi’s Journey with Wild Tomorrow

Bongi’s journey with Wild Tomorrow began in 2018 when he and his band performed at our Annual Fundraising Gala in New York City. Since then, he has become a regular performer at our event and supporter of our mission. Two years ago, Bongi travelled with us to visit the team in South Africa and see our work firsthand at the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve. Bongi heard directly from our Zulu staff about the impact of their work at Wild Tomorrow, and our vision for the future. For the first time, Bongi saw giraffe and zebra in the wild, animals he sings about with his cast at The Lion King.

During his visit, Bongi wrote a theme song that he performed together with the reserve’s rangers, the Green Mambas conservation team, and children from a local orphanage supported by Wild Tomorrow (you can hear it in the video linked below). He also visited our community crèches, gaining deeper insight into our education and community programs.

Bongi says that for him, Wild Tomorrow represents hope for an environment that has suffered greatly due to human impact, often driven by self-serving practices, neglect, and lack of education. He believes Wild Tomorrow’s vision creates meaningful opportunities for communities to become part of conservation efforts while helping young people learn about wildlife and the importance of maintaining balanced ecosystems.

As an ambassador, Bongi hopes to share this message widely throughout his home province of KwaZulu-Natal and across South Africa, inspiring greater awareness, education, and community involvement in protecting the natural world.

“It was a really special week together ‘in the field’ with Bongi when he came to tell our story in 2024”, said our co-founder Wendy Hapgood. “He is an incredible, natural leader, and his enthusiasm for our mission touched everyone’s hearts, culminating in the entire team coming together to sing the new Wild Tomorrow theme song he composed. We are honored to deepen our collaboration with Bongi and excited for the energy, creativity and knowledge that he brings to the team.”

We are thrilled to welcome Bongi to our ambassador team!

Take a walk with singer and songwriter, Bongi Duma, as he meets Wild Tomorrow at the Ukuwela Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

MEET WILD TOMORROW'S NEW AMBASSADOR, BONGI DUMA

Bongi’s Early Years

Bongi’s Journey with Wild Tomorrow