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Shaka Ilembe

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Shaka Ilembe
GenreDrama
Created by
  • Angus Gibson
  • Desiree Markgraaff
  • Teboho Mahlatsi
  • Catherine Stewart
  • Nhlanhla Mtaka
Based onKing Shaka
Written by
  • Daneil Zimbler
  • Andy Petersen
  • Jacob Ntshangase
  • Desiree Markgraaff
  • Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom
  • Steven Pillemar
  • Angus Gibson


Directed byAngus Gibson, Zeno Petersen, Adze Ugah
Creative directorAngus Gibson
Starring
Country of originSouth Africa
Original languageZulu
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producerDesiree Markgraaff/Nomzamo Mbatha/Angus Gibson
ProducerDesiree Markgraaff/Maqubool Mahomed
CinematographyZeno Petersen
EditorLJ Rice
Camera setupMulti-cameras
Running time55-58minutes
Production companyThe Bomb Shelter
Original release
NetworkMzansi Magic
Release18 June 2023 (2023-06-18)

Shaka Ilembe is a South African series produced by Bomb! A production for M-Net's channel Mzansi Magic.,[3] a Multichoice company. The series, South Africa's most expensive show to date,[4] retells the story of King Shaka of the Zulu Kingdom and his quest to fight for his throne. It stars Nomzamo Mbatha[5] as Queen Nandi KaBhebhe and Senzo Radebe,[6] as King Senzangakhona kaJama.

The series premiered on 18, June 2023, recording 3.6 million viewers in its first week, the best ratings ever for a Multichoice-produced drama series.[7]

In September 2024, Shaka Ilembe became the most nominated drama series in SAFTA history, with 17 nominations. [8][9] At the 18th SAFTA ceremony held in October 2024, the series won 12 awards, including Best TV drama, the most of any nominee, and garnering Multichoice a total of 46 awards.[10][11]

Multichoice announced in September 2023 that the series was renewed for a second season [12] with Nomzamo Mbatha returning as lead actress and producer of the series. Lebogang Tsipa will reprise his role as the title character "Shaka" and Dawn Thandeka King in her role as "Mkabayi". Thembinkosi Mthembu, Ntando Duma and Mduduzi Mabaso are expected to reprise their roles as King Dingiswayo, Queen Bhibhi and Gendeyana respectively.

Cast

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Actor Role Notes
Nomzamo Mbatha Nandi Main
Senzo Radebe Senzangakhona kaJama Main
Thembinkosi Mthembu Dingiswayo Main
Dawn Thandeka King Mkabayi kaJama Main
Lemohang Tsipa Shaka Kasenzangakhona Main
Ntando Zondi Young Shaka Main
Sthandiwe Kgoroge Queen Mthaniya KaSibiya Main
Ernest Ndlovu King Jama kaNdaba Main
Wiseman Mncube Zwide kaLanga Main
Khabonina Qubeka Queen Ntombazi Starring Guest
Hope Mbele Baleka Supporting Cast
Mondli Makhoba Ngomane Supporting Cast
Abdul Khoza Cija Supporting Cast
Wanda BLAQ Zuma Mawewe Main
Hamilton Dhlamini King Jobe ka Nyambose Main
Zonke Mnchunu Queen Zenzile KaMthethwa Supporting Cast
Jabulani Hadebe Bhungane KaNtsele Supporting Cast
Sivenathi Bukani Mkabi Ka Nzunza Supporting Cast
Ntando Duma-Mthombeni Bhibhi Supporting Cast
Ziya Xulu Pikile Supporting Cast

Production

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Development

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M-Net and Multichoice had officially announced the series in May 2018, with four years of planning prior to the announcement. Production took six years to complete,[4][13] with the consultation of historians, academics and family descendants, including the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. During this time American network Showtime, which had planned to film their version with a backing of $90 million,[14][15] suddenly scraped their production which was towards completion.[16]

Filming

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Location scouting for the series commenced in 2019,[17][18][19] with principal filming of the series taking place in 2022 at the Greater Cradle Nature Reserve, and in the towns of Eshowe, Nkandla Forest, Port Edward, Drakensburg, Mooi River and Zulu Falls in KwaZulu-Natal,[20] with more than 120 builders and thatchers from KwaZulu-Natal engaged in building the sets.[21] Filmmakers had to stick to a rigid building schedule to abide by the prescribed on-site protocols in keeping with the strict rules of the nature reserve. According to crew, the sets in Johannesburg took over nine months to build.

Broadcast

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Before its television debut, the series had a private screening at Montecasino, Johannesburg.[22][23]

The series premiered on 18 June 2023, airing weekly on Mzansi Magic. While the series was filmed in 4K, the series was aired in HD quality.[24]

International broadcast

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Episodes of the series were immediately aired after their Mzansi Magic debut across the African continent through M-Net's other local interest channels. The series was shown on Maisha Magic Plus in Kenya,[25] Akwaaba Magic in Ghana, Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Urban in Nigeria and the rest of Africa,[26] Pearl Magic Prime in Uganda,[27] and Zambezi Magic in Zambia. The series was later added on the relaunched streaming service Showmax.[28]

The series is also shown in French-speaking territories, through Canal+.[29]

References

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  1. ^ "Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu". 2020-11-20.
  2. ^ "Uzalo Actress Dawn Thandeka King Background". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 2020-01-31.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Mzansi Magic | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za.
  4. ^ a b Ferreira, Thinus. "Shaka iLembe: The insider story and kingmaker start of SA TV's biggest show yet". Life. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  5. ^ CUT FM Radio (10 November 2018). "Nomzamo Mbatha Biography". Bloemfontein: 105.8 CUT FM Radio Station. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  6. ^ TVSA (9 November 2020). "Senzo Radebe".
  7. ^ Tiwane, Bonginkosi (2023-06-26). "'Shaka iLembe' becomes best drama series in DStv history after only one episode". The Citizen. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  8. ^ Roman-Cassiem, Mishkah (2024-09-19). "Shaka iLembe: A South African Epic Series with 17 SAFTA Nominations". Mzansi Life & Style by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  9. ^ "All the winners from the Craft Awards at SAFTAs18". All the winners from the Craft Awards at SAFTAs18. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  10. ^ Ferreira, Thinus (26 October 2024). "18 SAFTAs full winners list: Shaka iLembe crowned king with 12 wins". news24.com. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  11. ^ "The MultiChoice Group". MultiChoice. 2024-10-28. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  12. ^ Mazibuko, Nozibusiso (2023-09-07). "Shaka iLembe season 2 will have 'new faces'". The South African. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  13. ^ Writer, Staff (2023-05-27). "'Shaka iLembe': Everything You Need To Know". Sinema Focus. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  14. ^ "Shaka Ilembe: South Africa's epic production". Scrolla.Africa. 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  15. ^ "TV with Thinus: America's Showtime commissions rival Shaka Zulu drama series to MultiChoice and M-Net's long-gestating Shaka Ilembe; says its show is 'going to rock the world'". TV with Thinus. 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  16. ^ Otterson, Joe (2023-04-03). "'King Shaka' Series Not Moving Forward at Showtime". Variety. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  17. ^ "Location search begins for Shaka Ilembe". Actor Spaces. 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  18. ^ Ferreira, Thinus. "Location scouting, casting starting soon for M-Net's new 'Shaka' series". Life. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  19. ^ "Location search begins for SHAKA – ILEMBE". Location search begins for SHAKA – ILEMBE. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  20. ^ "SHAKA ILEMBE IS READY TO HIT GLOBAL SCREENS! | GlobeNewswire by notified". kommunikasjon.ntb.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  21. ^ Cele, Zamokuhle (2023-06-15). "'Shaka iLembe' series filmed at Greater Cradle Nature Reserve". IOL News. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  22. ^ Seemela, Masego (2023-06-14). "Shaka iLembe: Senzo Radebe says there's nothing like this production". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  23. ^ apofeed (2023-06-22). "Introducing "Shaka iLembe": A Captivating Journey of History, Courage, and Legacy". African Business. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  24. ^ Ngqabe, Xabiso (2023-11-22). "Where to see the cast of Shaka iLembe on Showmax". Showmax Stories. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  25. ^ "Introducing "Shaka iLembe": A Captivating Journey of History, Courage, and Legacy". Voxafrica. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  26. ^ ShockNG (2023-09-06). "MultiChoice Greenlights Season 2 of Shaka iLembe". ShockNG. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  27. ^ Atukunda, Rogers (2023-06-24). "Shaka Ilembe: New Drama Revives Memory of Legendary Zulu King". SoftPower News. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  28. ^ Writer, Staff (2023-12-04). "Shaka iLembe S1". Showmax Stories. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  29. ^ "Shaka ilembe - Canal+". myCANAL.
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