4 March 2025

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.”

The second season is due to land on Mzansi Magic in June 2025. Binge the whole of Season 1 on Showmax while you wait.

Watch full episodes now

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