Mbongeni Ngema has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He received nominations for Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for both "Sheila's Day" and "Sarafina!" Additionally, he was nominated for Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for "Sarafina" and for Best Choreography at the Tony Awards for "Sarafina!" Ngema also received nominations for Best Direction of a Musical and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "Sarafina!" Furthermore, he was nominated for Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "Asinamali!" Lastly, Ngema won the Comedy of the Year award at the Olivier Awards for "Woza Albert!"