African history unveiled… Shaka iLembe premières

IN a groundbreaking moment for the African community, a remarkable story is set to unfold, narrated by Africans themselves. Tomorrow marks a day that will be etched in the annals of history, not only for the South African community but for the entire continent of Africa too.

This is the tale of Shaka iLembe, an epic TV series that delves into the ancestral origins of the legendary African monarch and military strategist, King Shaka, from the esteemed Zulu Kingdom.

Between 1816 and 1828, King Shaka’s dominion encompassed the Nguni people of the Bantu ethnic group in Southern Africa. The Bantu cultural group, known as AmaNdebele in Zimbabwe, holds a special connection to the narrative as some of their descendants hail from this rich heritage. The story of Shaka intertwines with the history of the Ndebele nation, as King Mzilikazi, born in Zululand, eventually ventured to Zimbabwe and established the Ndebele State after serving as one of Shaka’s trusted generals during the period of upheaval known as Mfecane.

Bulawayo and Zimbabwe stand as inseparable components of Shaka’s legacy, for the tale of the great King cannot be recounted without their inclusion. Recognising the significance of this connection, the creators of Shaka iLembe, Bomb Productions, have taken great care to ensure an authentic portrayal of Nguni culture, paying homage to the shared history of the region.

As the promotional roadshow made its way to Bulawayo, the entertainment group Sekunjalo Ma Africa set the stage ablaze, paving the way for tomorrow’s première — a long-awaited moment where an African story, by Africans, takes centre stage.

Arnold Ndebele, the director of Sekunjalo Ma Africa, expressed the honour they felt being part of the production.
“The show (Shaka iLembe) is a good one because not only does it speak about Africa, but it also speaks about Bulawayo. Mzilikazi came here from there (Zululand), it tells a lot of stories about us, and it’s a good story. We are very honoured to be part of it.”

Liz Dziva, the Publicity and Public Relations Manager for MultiChoice Zimbabwe, shared the excitement surrounding the drama series, saying it’s a representation of the finest African storytelling. Viewers can anticipate an exceptional series that allows them to immerse themselves in the lives of kings, queens, prophets, warriors, strategists, and lovers from a bygone era.

“We are so excited for our audiences to see Shaka iLembe and embrace this world of kings, queens, prophets, warriors, strategists, and lovers. The cast and crew have done an outstanding job in telling this majestic, larger than life story. As a result, it is a polished and compelling drama series filled with conflict, action, romance, betrayal, sacrifice, struggle, triumph, and loss.”

This epic drama series boasts a stellar cast featuring some of the biggest names in the South African film industry. With actors like Nomzamo Mbatha as Queen Nandi, Lemogang Tsipa as King Shaka, and Senzo Radebe as Senzangakhona, viewers are guaranteed to be captivated by their performances. Other notable names such as Thembinkosi Mthembu, Wiseman Mncube, Dawn Thandeka King, Hope Mbhele, and Sthandiwe Kgoroge contribute their talents to complete the ensemble. The diverse cast, which includes Abdul Khoza, Ziya Xulu, Calvin Ratladi, Phumlani Mndebele, Don Mlangeni, Vusi Kunene, Mduduzi Mabaso, Sibonelo Ngubane, Ayanda Borotho, and Wanda, adds depth and richness to the series.

The creative team behind the 12-part series is led by the acclaimed director Angus Gibson, known for his Oscar-nominated work. Alongside Gibson, executive producers Nomzamo Mbatha, Nhlanhla Mtaka, and Desiree Markgraaff bring their expertise to the production. Professor Hlonipha Mokoena, a Cultural and Historical Advisor, lends her invaluable insights to ensure the authenticity of the series.

The journey of creating Shaka iLembe has been a labour of love, spanning six years of meticulous dedication. The entire production was shot on location in South Africa, with captivating scenes set in towns such as Eshowe, Nkandla Forest, Port Edward, Drakensberg, Mooi River, and Zulu Falls. The attention to detail in recreating the era and the commitment to preserving the essence of the Nguni culture is evident in every frame.

Dziva invites audiences to tune in this Sunday at 20:00 hours on Mzansi Magic, urging them to be part of this extraordinary journey.

“We are telling everybody to tune in this coming Sunday on Mzansi Magic because we will be premièring the long-awaited Shaka iLembe. This is an amazing series which has a lot to look forward to and is available from Family package going upwards, so how about tuning in and being a part of this amazing journey,” said Dziva.