Season 1
Shaka iLembe is a South African period drama television series set in the 1700s, which tells the story of the making of the iconic African king, with iterations from his early childhood through to adulthood.
It is a re-telling of the story of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona.
Filmed in isiZulu, the series tells the origin story of the famous Zulu King and the events that shaped his remarkable life.
While the series is an entertainment title and a fictional interpretation of historical events, the producers have taken care to ensure that Nguni culture is authentically portrayed and respected.
The production was six years in the making and consulted historians, academics and family descendants, including the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Striking a balance between historical authenticity and drama is crucial to the plot.
The two key actors playing Shaka are Lemogang Tsipa (adult king) and newcomer Ntando Zondi (boy king).
The cast includes Nomzamo Mbatha, who plays Queen Nandi, the revered mother of Shaka; with Thembinkosi Mthembu starring as King Dingiswayo and Wiseman Mncube in the role of King Zwide.
Shaka iLembe is an Mzansi Magic Original Production, produced by Bomb.
The series was created by Angus Gibson, Mpumelelo Grootboom, Desireé Markgraaff, Jacob Ntshangase and Catherine Stewart.
Angus Gibson, Desireé Markgraaff, Nomzamo Mbatha and Nhlanhla Mtaka are the executive producers; Gibson is the director.
The co-producers are Maqubool Mahomed, Shelli Miller, Suzanna Ward and Bongumusa Zungu.
The story is by Daniel Zimbler, Mpumelelo Grootboom, Andrew Petersen, Jacob Ntshangase, Steve Pillemer, Benedict Carton, Thishiwe Ziqubu and Angus Gibson.
The music composer is Philip Miller.
Main Characters
Young Shaka (played by Ntando Zondi)
and
Adult Shaka (played by Lemogang Tsipa)
Son of Queen Nandi and Zulu King Senzangakhona kaJama.
Shaka and his mother were outcasts who endured hardships which shaped him to become a legendary leader and warrior.
His story of unwavering determination and unbreakable will is a testament to the power of the human spirit.
He went on to conquer and unify many kingdoms to build the Zulu nation and left an indelible mark on African history that continues to fascinate people around the world.
Queen Nandi (played by Nomzamo Mbatha)
Daughter of King Mbengi of the Langeni and Queen Mfunda, Nandi was a woman ahead of her time.
Beautiful and bold, she defied societal norms and chose to chart her own path.
Mother of Shaka kaSenzangakhona, who despite enduring many hardships nurtured and guided him to become a legendary leader, instilling in him the strength, love, and bravery that defined his reign.
Queen Nandi remains a revered African icon.
Senzangakhona (played by Senzo Radebe)
Son of King Jama and Queen Mthaniya.
Senzangakhona kaJama, became king of the Zulus and father to Shaka.
He was a charismatic leader who was also known for his dashing looks.
Despite his disappointment at not being the great leader the Sanusi's foretold, from his seed came the greatest Zulu king and many thereafter that continued to unite and lead the Zulu Nation long after his reign.
Mkabayi (played by Dawn Thandeka King)
Princess Mkabayi kaJama, daughter of King Jama and sister to King Senzangakhona kaJama.
Mkabayi was a kingmaker and visionary who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Zulu Nation.
Her commitment to her people and the vision of her ancestors and her unparalleled strategic thinking make her a true icon in Zulu history.
Dingiswayo (played by Thembinkosi Mthembu)
Son of King Jobe of the Mthethwa.
Formerly known as Godongwana, who fled into exile and against great odds returned as Dingiswayo and ascended to the throne of the mighty Mthethwa.
King Dingiswayo was an inspirational leader, gifted strategist and skilled warrior known for his military prowess, wise counsel, and ability for diplomacy.
He became a key mentor to Shaka and helped shape him into a great warrior and lauded leader.
Baleka (played by Hope Mbhele)
Baleka (fictional) was a healer for the Mthethwa King Jobe and later King Makhasana of the Mabhudu.
A passionate healer, she was a young scientist.
Filled with determination and fierce independence, she dedicated her life to healing and the direction of the ancestors, bringing comfort to those in need.
She believed in the importance of pursuing her own dreams and aspirations, regardless of societal expectations.
Zwide (played by Wiseman Mncube)
Zwide, son of the feared Queen Ntombazi and King Langa.
He was a shrewd and dangerous warrior who out-maneuvered his adversaries with deft strategy and ruthlessness.
He shared his mother's ambitions to build an empire and was fiercely committed to protecting and providing for his people.
Queen Ntombazi (played by Khabonina Qubeka)
Queen Ntombazi, mother of the great Ndwandwe King Zwide kaLanga, was a powerful and enigmatic force in her own right.
Revered by some as a mystical and wise leader, and feared by others as a witch, she had dreams of building an empire and utilised her formidable intellect and cunning to fight for the prosperity of her people.
Queen Mthaniya (played by Sthandiwe Kgoroge)
Wife to King Jama, mother to King Senzangakhona.
Queen Mthaniya is strong, dignified, and strategic.
She becomes regent for some time after her husband dies and before her son becomes king.
Mthaniya is a nurturer to both her son Senzangakhona and later her grandson Shaka.
Season 1 Cast
(scroll to bottom for available actor bios)
Starring
Nomzamo Mbatha ... Nandi
Ntando Zondi ... Young Shaka
Senzo Radebe ... Senzangakhona (as Senzokuhle Radebe)
Dawn Thandeka King ... Mkabayi
Sthandiwe Kgoroge ... Queen Mthaniya
Sibonile Ngubane ... Mudli
Thembinkosi Mthembu ... Dingiswayo
Hope Mbhele ... Baleka
Wanda Zuma ... Mawewe (as Wanda Blaq Zuma)
Hamilton Dlamini ... Jobe (as Hamilton Dhlamini)
Mondli Makhoba ... Ngomane
Khabonina Qubeka ... Queen Ntombazi
Calvin Ratladi ... Goloza
Phumlani Mndebele ... Nyengelezi
Abdul Khoza ... Cija
Wiseman Mncube ... Zwide
Lemogang Tsipa ... Shaka
Recurring / Guests
Siyabonga Shibe ... Mgabhi
Ayanda Ngubane ... Queen Mfunda (as Ayanda Mangubane Borotho)
Kennedy Stab ... Gwedla
Mimi Mahlasela ... Elangeni Elder (as Mimi Nobuhle Mahlasela)
Nompilo Maphumulo ... Iqhikiza
Ernest Ndlovu ... King Jama
Don Mlangeni Nawa ... King Langa (as Don Mlangeni)
Austin Shandu ... Ngqondo
Magic Hlatshwayo ... King Mbengi
Ntando Mncube ... Prince Ndabezimbi
Ntokozo Mthembu ... Young Makhedama
Khayalethu Xaba ... Bully 1
Ntando Hesewu ... Bully 2
Ziya Xulu ... Piklile
Girly Nkosi ... Maiden 1
Tlotlo Thioane ... Maiden 2
Sabelo Mapumulo ... Mfanafuthi
Tsepo Doncabe ... Mandulo (as Buhle Tsepo Doncube and Tsepo Doncube)
Keabetswe Motlogeloa ... Herd Boy 1
Pelego Motlogeloa ... Herd Boy 2
Terrence Maphumulo ... Luhleko (as Terrence Ndumiso Maphumulo)
Thembekile Komani ... Qinisani
Dumisani Nkabinde ... Mandulo's Father (as Dumisani Moses Nkabinde)
Linda Nxumalo ... Dlabehlezi
Sfundo Maphumulo ... Mahole
Kelebogile Zungu ... Buthelezi Bride
Sibhekezelo Nkosi ... Buthelezi Groom
Mthokozisi Gabela ... Nkanizababili (as Mthokozisi Reginald Gabela)
Gabriel Miya ... Zikode
Sandile Skhosana ... Gubela
Vamisile Makhathini ... Ntombazi's Attendant
Solomon Thobela ... Insizwe 'Endala
Ntando Zuma ... Nkankane
Martin Ziqubu ... Inkosi Mzimela
Eric Singathile Zulu ... King Langa's Insila (as Erick Singathile Zulu)
Khonzani Gwala ... Ndwandwe Royal Elder
Hlonipha Mokoena ... Mkabayi Narration (voice)
Skhumbuzo Mtshali ... Royal Elder
Ntombenhle Hlongwane ... Royal Elder
Mtsheleni Mkhize ... Zulu Royal Inyanga
Mthobisi Mkhwanazi ... Zulu Gate Keeper
Carla Fonseca ... Carlotta
Laqino Anibal Fonseca ... Aloisio
Oswaldo Jalane ... Portuguese Interpreter
Bonolo Tshoane ... Godogwana's Child
Anelisa Siswana ... Godogwana's Child
Bheki Mkwanazi ... Jobe's Insila (as Bheki Bastard Mkwanazi)
Bukokwakhe Masango ... Mthethwa Praise Singer (as Bukokwakhe Goqozile Masango)
Sphamandla Mkhize ... Ndwandwe War Sangoma
Sandile Shange ... Nongila
Sibusiso Shozi ... Zulu War Sangoma
Mandla Sibanyoni ... Ndwandwe General
Lucia Mthiyane ... Thiyabezile
Ncibijana Madlala ... Mbhobho
Richard Lukunku ... Domingo
Sphamandla Dhludhlu ... Tana
Bheki Vilakazi ... Sanusi Mhlohlo
Baby Cele ... Queen Mabamba
Deli Malinga ... Queen Bajwayele
Mduduzi Nyanga ... Godogwana's Brother
Sibusiso Madondo ... Nxazonke
Isaac Mdletshe ... Old Trader
Thulani Kubeka ... Mzimela Messenger
Titus Langa ... Mthethwa Brother #4
Zusiphe Garane ... Mthethwa Brother #5
Nhlakanipho Buthelezi ... Mthethwa Guard (as Nhlankanipho Buthelezi)
Zonke Mchunu ... Queen Zenzile
Phiwokuhle Nzuza ... Circumcision Elder (as Phiwokuhle Ndukuyakhe Nzuza)
Sthembiso Tapfuma ... Zulu Initiate
Thembo Tshilowa ... Zulu Initiate
Shavula Mdoninea ... Zulu Initiate
King Mlangeni ... Zulu Initiate
Sifiso Nkosi ... Zulu Initiate
Sifundo Langa ... Zulu Initiate
Vusimuzi Mthembu ... Zulu Initiate
Neo Magagula ... Senzangakhona's Insila
Buzetsheni Mdletshe ... Zulu Praise Singer
David Mgiba ... Mthethwa Man
Nkanyiso Mabela ... Baby Shaka
Muziwakhile Masoko ... Elangeni Elder
Mduduzi Mabaso ... Gendeyana
Sive Mabuya ... Mkabi (as Sivenathi Mabuya and Sive Mabuye)
Mandla Jwara ... King Khondlo
Zinhle Mabena ... Nkankane
Emmanuel Nkosi ... Ndwandwe Councillor
Sibusiso Mtshali ... Ndwandwe Councillor
Talent Biyela ... Cleaner
Sibusiso November ... Hlubi #1
Bheki Khoza ... Hlubi #2
Nhlanhla Mahlangu ... Mbhoni
Lucky Vusimuzi Mkhize ... Sangoma
Simphiwe Dlamini ... Sangoma
Mpanza Mgcina ... King Bhungane's Insila
Velile Makhoba ... Langanzana
Neo Iman Mothae ... Fudukazi
Melokuhle Mokoena ... Shaka 4 Yr
Lungile Khanye ... Shaka 7 Yr
Ntandoyethu Zondi ... Shaka 12 Yr
Azola Nghona ... Nomcoba
Nqobile Mthombeni ... Dingane
Ntando Duma ... Bhibhi
Nompumelelo Mncube ... Mzondwase
Amogelang Mantoro ... Baby Sigujana
Saxola Ludidi ... Songiya
Mbalenhle Mthembu ... Mpikase
Ntando Mhlobo ... Magulana
Thinabakho Mbatha ... Zulu Elder
Ntsizwa Mahlangu ... Zulu Tracker
Sandile Twala ... Hunting Party
Sabelo Motloung ... Hunting Party
Percyval Ngalo ... Hunting Party
Thando Masike ... Hunting Party
Bongane Luhaga ... Hunting Party
Motsau Motsau ... Hunting Party
Sikhumbuzo Mthimkhulu ... Hunting Party
Joseph Motloung ... Hunting Party
Sibusiso Motloung ... Hunting Party
Lehlohonolo Monye ... Hunting Party
Sipho Khanyi ... Hunting Party
Nkululeko Phiri ... Hlubi Messenger
Sipho Mahlobo ... Elangeni Elder
Bongani Makhathini ... Buthelezi Messenger
Njabulo Nxumalo ... Nzuza Messenger
Jabulani Hadebe ... King Bhungane (as Jabulani Hadebe "Sjava")
Thulani Mtsweni ... Sompisi
Fumani N Shilubana ... Nduku (as Fumani Shilubana)
Obed Baloyi ... Zitha
Nelisa Mchunu ... Mgabhi's Wife 2
Dumisani Dlamini ... Mayinga
Sifiso Dontsa ... Slave & Slaver
Ntokozo Mayela ... Slave & Slaver
Ntombikhona Mpiyonke ... Slave & Slaver
Noluvuyo Diya ... Slave & Slaver
Mbokazi Mzukisi ... Slave & Slaver
Majova Mandisi ... Slave & Slaver
Jabulani Mathumbu ... Slave & Slaver
Billy Zukulu ... Slave & Slaver
Diya Aphelele ... Slave & Slaver
Gift Ndovela ... Slave & Slaver
Moduna Thandanzani ... Slave & Slaver
Ntlantla Tshaka ... Slave & Slaver
Siphesethu Mjomeni ... Slave & Slaver
Siyamthanda Ndovela ... Slave & Slaver
Siyanda Mihla ... Slave & Slaver
Sthembela Nlongwa ... Slave & Slaver
Vela Mdlavu ... Slave & Slaver
Wiseman Tshutsha ... Slave & Slaver
Saziso Chala ... Slave & Slaver
Siphesihle Mahlangu ... Mgabhi's Wife 1
Sisanda Lombo ... Mfundeka
Andile Manci ... Slave
Louis Brits ... Portuguese Slaver
Lowemboy Takoy ... Slave in Cage
Dimakatso Mazibuko ... Female Slave
Thembeluhle Biyela ... Female Slave
Vaughan Lucas ... Tavares
Nonhlanhla Hadebe ... Woman at River
Simangele Mongatane ... Woman at River
Nonhlanhla Dube ... Woman at River
Samkelisiwe Madala ... Woman at River
Duduzile Makhoba ... Woman at River
Hector Theko ... Slaver (as Hector Teko)
Vusimuzi Ndlazi ... Amalala
Thulani Zwane ... Mghabi's Insila
Moses Chuma ... Slave
Nompumelelo Dlamini ... Gendeyane's Sister
Viwe Vinkeli ... Gendeyane's Sister
Tsidiso Mpembe ... Young Prince Nomo
Zola Myeza ... Servant - Isiqgila
Akhona Ndlovu ... Phakatwayo
Sbongakonke Mkhwanazi ... Phakatwayo's Friend
Mthobisi Biyela ... Phakatwayo's Friend
Thabiso Mthombeni ... Phakatwayo's Friend
Siyabonga Sibanyoni ... Phakatwayo's Friend
Lesedi Maboe ... Ngwadi
Thandolwethu Ngcepe ... Nomcoba
Ben Mngomezulu ... King Makhasana's Insila
Khumbulani Mathebula ... Portuguese Translator
Likhona Menzeleki ... Zulu Gate Guard 1
Mthobisi Mkhwanazi ... Zulu Gate Guard 2
Mzamo Mkhombe ... Mthethwa Messenger
Pearl Cele ... Bajwayele's Servant
Vusi Kunene ... King Makhasana
Khanyisani Kheswa ... Prince Nomo
Jose Domingos ... Portuguese Governor (as Jose Domingo)
Dawid Minnaar ... Dr Cowan
Welile Nzuza ... Qwabe Messenger
Ruben Malau ... Mabhudu Sangoma
Sikolethu Mdelwa ... Dr Cowan's Translator
Easymon Nkomo ... Mabhudu Warrior
Thapelo Matuludi ... Kleza Boy
Sihle Radebe ... Kleza Boy
Nkosinathi Mathenjwa ... Kleza Boy
Bilinga Mathenjwa ... Kleza Boy
Sifiso Melefe ... Kleza Boy
Sipho Mbatha ... Kleza Boy
Mpendulo Myeza ... Kleza Boy
Naledi Cebekhulu ... Kleza Boy
Vuyo Qhaba ... Kleza Boy
Sabelo Ngubane ... Kleza Boy
Banela Mbatha ... Kleza Boy
Sizwe Maseko ... Kleza Boy
Mohlonipheni Cindi ... Kleza Boy
Sithembiso Tshabalala ... Kleza Boy
Sicebi Zimba ... Kleza Boy
Thato Nxumalo ... Kleza Boy
Sandile Zulu ... Kleza Boy
Tebogo Mkwanyana ... Kleza Boy
Mswazi Rapafa ... Kleza Boy
Bandile Shangase ... Kleza Boy
Mduduzi Mbhense ... King Khondlo's Insila
Lancelot Tshabalala ... Thokozwayo (as Lancelot Bongani Tshabalala)
Khayalihle Nala ... Menabe
Lucky Simayile ... Buza
Nkosinathi Keswa ... Mbhiya (as Nkosinathi E Keswa)
Fanele Zulu ... Mgobhozi
Lungani Mabaso ... Ncoboka
Nkanyiso Mzimela ... Somveli
Qaqamba Zide ... Ndwandwe Maiden
Sonwabo Tsotetso ... Dingiswayo's Insila
Bongane Msimango ... Lembe
Thembinkosi Ngcakula ... Advisor 1 (Bully 1)
Thabang Nkosi ... Advisor 2 (Bully 2)
Given Mgasago ... King Makhedama's Insila
Prince Dube ... Elangeni Servant
Siyabonga Skosana ... Mthethwa Messenger
Vuyani Mgungunyeka ... Elangeni Elder
Bongumusa Dlamini ... Elangeni Elder
Andile Mbatha ... Matiwane
Chris Q. Radebe ... Makhedama
Luyanda Zwane ... Vundlazi
Jabulani Patrick Mthembu... Soshangane
Zazi Kunene ... Nomcoba
Neo Mothoe ... Fudukazi
Mnelisi Khambule ... Sigujana
Thulasizwe Khubeka ... Dingane