4 December 2023
Shaka iLembe S1
Set in the 1700s, Shaka Ilembe tells the story of the heroic rise of the iconic Zulu king, played as an adult by Lemogang Tsipa (The Republic) and a boy by newcomer Ntando Zondi.
Feather Awards Hunk of the Year Thembinkosi Mthembu is King Dingiswayo, Senzo Radebe was nominated for a Septimius Award as King Senzangakhona, and Wiseman Mncube won Best Actor in a TV Series at the 2023 National Film and TV Awards as King Zwide, with Khabonina Qubeka also nominated there as Best Actress as Queen Ntombazi and Nomzamo Mbatha for Best Supporting Actress as Queen Nandi, the revered mother of Shaka.
Produced by the Oscar-nominated team at Bomb (Yizo Yizo), Shaka ILembe was six years in the making, consulting historians, academics and family descendants, including the late King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu and current monarch King Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
The first episode set a new record as the most-watched drama series on DStv ever, reaching over 3.6m viewers in South Africa alone. The series has already been nominated as Best Series at the National Film and TV Awards and at the Septimius Awards, where it was up against the likes of The Crown. As News24 wrote, “Shaka iLembe reaches for and represents a towering achievement in what’s possible for South African filmmaking.”
Mzansi Magic has already ordered a second season.
Soft Life, coming to Showmax
Brasse Vannie Kaap, coming soon
More Mzansi gold
Brasse Vannie Kaap director Lauren Scholtz on the iconic group
Lauren Scholtz talks about Brasse Vannie Kaap, which premiered to a standing ovation at Silwerskerm in August, now streaming on Showmax.
Brasse Vannie Kaap
The legendary South African hip-hop group Brasse Vannie Kaap conquered the music scene in the crucial early years of the new South Africa.
The unexpected crossover: The Mommy Club Sugar & Spice meets The Real Housewives of Durban
In Episode 9 of The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice, Maria from RHOD makes a crossover appearance. New episodes every Thursday.
Death in the Heartlands up for Sports Documentary of the Year in London
Death in the Heartlands is up for Sports Doc of the Year in London. Stream this and more awards contenders now on Showmax.