Mduduzi Madela Is the 2nd South African Actor to Play Simba on Broadway

Last month, longtime The Lion King cast member Mduduzi Madela assumed the role of Simba in the Tony-winning Disney musical at the Minskoff Theatre.

Madela had been in the ensemble of the Broadway company, covering the role of Simba since 2013, after several years performing in the musical's U.K. tour as well as productions in Paris, Las Vegas, and the Netherlands. The actor, who is the second South African artist to perform the role of Simba on Broadway (following Andile Gumbi, who passed away in 2019), succeeded Vincent Jamal Hooper. He was also featured in NPR's Tiny Desk concert that spotlighted songs from The Lion King.

Madela currently shares the Minskoff stage with Gavin Lee as Scar, Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi as Rafiki, L. Steven Taylor as Mufasa, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Fred Berman as Timon, Pearl Khwezi as Nala, Cameron Pow as Zazu, James Brown-Orleans as Banzai, Bonita J. Hamilton as Shenzi, and Robb Sapp as Ed. Also part of the company is Madela's wife, Nteliseng Nkhela, an ensemble member who also covers the role of Rafiki.

In the interview below for the Playbill series How Did I Get Here—spotlighting not only actors, but directors, designers, musicians, and others who work on and off the stage to create the magic that is live theatre—Madela shares the role of his dreams, why he has such respect for parents who work on Broadway, and how "Circle of Life" elicits similar responses from audiences around the world.

Where did you train/study?
Mduduzi Madela: I started at an artist-in-residency program at the BAT Centre, then to study music at Natal Technikon, now known as University of KwaZulu Natal. Then went on to the American School of Modern Music (ASMM) in Paris, France.

Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
Mr. Vusi Radebe, my English teacher at high school. He found and read one of my compositions, which I’d forgotten within my homework book. Then he introduced me to like-minded people within our school, with whom I then formed a band.

You first joined the Broadway company in 2013 in the ensemble. What does it mean to you to be taking over the role of Simba, especially since you are only the second South African performer to do so?
Simba is already a huge honor to play on a Broadway stage by its own right. It’s an even rarer opportunity to be cast as a South African in the role—that will always be the driving force for eight shows a week, sometimes nine.

Do you have a favorite moment in the show for Simba? What makes that part particularly special?
Spoiler alert: Simba is quite stubborn. But his community shows up for him in moments he can’t even show up for himself. And when he officially ascends Pride Rock (at the end of the show), that marks a very earned moment for him and his community.

You also met your wife in the Broadway production. What are the challenges of managing the Broadway schedule with marriage, especially if you are both working?
We have two kids, and our oldest is already a fully formed dancer. We have three sitters on rotation and are quite fortunate for their kindness and patience.

You've starred in The Lion King in South Africa, Las Vegas, the Netherlands, Paris, and more. Do you notice any difference in audience reaction from place to place?
It’s very special to experience the audience reaction in "Circle of Life," the opening number. That’s always similar—it’s the primal gasps, tears, and pointing out each moment that touches them. You can then tell if they’ll come again because they missed other details.

Do you have any dream stage roles or actors you would like to share the stage with?
I went to a Johnny Clegg tribute concert at Gramercy Theatre in March 2025. If they ever stage that as a musical, I’m calling dibs on the Sipho Mchunu (Johnny’s friend and collaborator) role…wink…wink.

Tell me about a time you almost gave up but didn’t.
The most trying time for me was 2020. During pandemic shutdowns and travel bans, my wife and I lost both our mothers within a span of 48 hours, August 10 and 11.

What do you consider your big break?
No break is bigger than the first… Simba.

Is there a person or people you most respect in your field and why?
Parents who work on The Great White Way. You step outside the bubble everyday so you can show up as a parent at home. All that demands full presence.

Tell me about a job/opportunity you really wanted but didn’t get. How did you get over that disappointment?
It was an opportunity to submit for voiceover work, I didn’t get it. I learned that maybe I should show up more for me, and to trust what I do is authentically me. Repeated rejection adjusted me more as an artist.

What do you think Broadway is currently getting right in terms of diverse casting and what still needs improvement?
Broadway has been at the helm of bringing people from different walks of life for the sole purpose of telling a story. It’s a major undertaking to be a custodian for stories that show humanity, kindness, and grace.

What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
Your patience is always worth it.

What do you wish you knew starting out that you know now?
That it’s always best to tone it down than to give more.