French
DeutschShaka Ilembe
 | An editor has performed a search and found that sufficient sources exist to establish the subject's notability. (October 2023) |
| Shaka Ilembe | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Created by |
|
| Based on | King Shaka |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Angus Gibson, Zeno Petersen, Adze Ugah |
| Creative director | Angus Gibson |
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | South Africa |
| Original language | Zulu |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Desiree Markgraaff/Nomzamo Mbatha/Angus Gibson |
| Producer | Desiree Markgraaff/Maqubool Mahomed |
| Cinematography | Zeno Petersen |
| Editor | LJ Rice |
| Camera setup | Multi-cameras |
| Running time | 55-58minutes |
| Production company | The Bomb Shelter |
| Original release | |
| Network | Mzansi Magic |
| Release | 18 June 2023 |
Shaka Ilembe is a South African series produced by Bomb! Production for M-Net's channel Mzansi Magic.[3] The series retells the story of King Shaka of the Zulu Kingdom and his quest to fight for his throne. It stars Nomzamo Mbatha[4] as Queen Nandi KaBhebhe and Senzo Radebe,[5]as King Senzangakhona kaJama.
The tv series has been renewed for second season and is currently in the works with Nomzamo Mbatha returning as lead actress and producer of the series. Lebogang Tsipa will reprise his role as the title character "Shaka". SAFTA Award winning Actress Dawn Thandeka King also reprising her role as "Mkabayi" . Seasoned Actors like Thembinkosi Mthembu, Ntando Duma & Mduduzi Mabaso are expected to reprise their roles as King Dingiswayo,Queen Bhibhi & Gendeyana respectively. New additional Cast is yet to be confirmed with the series expected to premier in 2025 .
Cast
[edit]| 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
[edit]Development
[edit]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,[6][7] 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,[8][9] suddenly scraped their production which was towards completion.[10]
Filming
[edit]Location scouting for the series commenced in 2019,[11][12][13] 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,[14] with more than 120 builders and thatchers from KwaZulu-Natal engaged in building the sets.[15] 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
[edit]Before its television debut, the series had a private screening at Montecasino, Johannesburg.[16][17]
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.[18]
International broadcast
[edit]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,[19] Akwaaba Magic in Ghana, Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Urban in Nigeria and the rest of Africa,[20] Pearl Magic Prime in Uganda,[21] and Zambezi Magic in Zambia. The series was later added on the relaunched streaming service Showmax.[22]
The series is also shown in French-speaking territories, through Canal+.[23]
References
[edit]- ^ "Thembinkosi Brian Mthembu". 2020-11-20.
- ^ "Uzalo Actress Dawn Thandeka King Background". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 2020-01-31.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Mzansi Magic | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za.
- ^ CUT FM Radio (10 November 2018). "Nomzamo Mbatha Biography". Bloemfontein: 105.8 CUT FM Radio Station. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
- ^ TVSA (9 November 2020). "Senzo Radebe".
- ^ Ferreira, Thinus. "Shaka iLembe: The insider story and kingmaker start of SA TV's biggest show yet". Life. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ Writer, Staff (2023-05-27). "'Shaka iLembe': Everything You Need To Know". Sinema Focus. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ "Shaka Ilembe: South Africa's epic production". Scrolla.Africa. 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (2023-04-03). "'King Shaka' Series Not Moving Forward at Showtime". Variety. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ "Location search begins for Shaka Ilembe". Actor Spaces. 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ Ferreira, Thinus. "Location scouting, casting starting soon for M-Net's new 'Shaka' series". Life. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ "Location search begins for SHAKA – ILEMBE". Location search begins for SHAKA – ILEMBE. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ "SHAKA ILEMBE IS READY TO HIT GLOBAL SCREENS! | GlobeNewswire by notified". kommunikasjon.ntb.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2024-08-23.
- ^ Cele, Zamokuhle (2023-06-15). "'Shaka iLembe' series filmed at Greater Cradle Nature Reserve". IOL News. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Seemela, Masego (2023-06-14). "Shaka iLembe: Senzo Radebe says there's nothing like this production". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ apofeed (2023-06-22). "Introducing "Shaka iLembe": A Captivating Journey of History, Courage, and Legacy". African Business. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ Ngqabe, Xabiso (2023-11-22). "Where to see the cast of Shaka iLembe on Showmax". Showmax Stories. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ "Introducing "Shaka iLembe": A Captivating Journey of History, Courage, and Legacy". Voxafrica. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ ShockNG (2023-09-06). "MultiChoice Greenlights Season 2 of Shaka iLembe". ShockNG. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ Atukunda, Rogers (2023-06-24). "Shaka Ilembe: New Drama Revives Memory of Legendary Zulu King". SoftPower News. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ Writer, Staff (2023-12-04). "Shaka iLembe S1". Showmax Stories. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ "Shaka ilembe - Canal+". myCANAL.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
External links
[edit]- Shaka Ilembe at IMDb
- Shaka Ilembe at TVSA