Shaka Ilembe

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)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

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.

  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. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  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.