Shaka Ilembe
SHAKA ILEMBE: A review of the hit South African TV series on the titular monarch, Shaka Zulu, who made his mark in history.

When I inquired on how the new Shaka series compares to the old one done by SABC back in the 80s, I wasn’t expecting to hear that it was better. My curiosity was piqued. Probably because I had recently watched a few episodes of William Faure’s Shaka Zulu again and still found it particularly satisfying. After all, it featured Henry Cele in the title role, Christopher Lee (of Count Dracula fame), Robert Powell (Jesus of Nazareth) and Patrick Ndlovu. Also, it had such a memorable theme song “We Are Growing”, composed by Margaret Singana, that left you humming it for days on end. The sonorous ‘bom-bom-bom-bom’ chant still resonated from my youth and stirred the same emotions. No doubt a classic. But while the new TV series- Shaka Ilembe– lacks as commanding a theme song, it compensates for this with loads more to challenge and, dare I say, outclass the SABC epic. So much so that a review was quite in order.

It’s a Narrative

Both series share some similarities though: they both have a narrator. However, while Shaka Zulu was narrated from a white foreigner’s perspective – Dr. Henry Fynn- Shaka Ilembe was narrated by Shaka’s aunt, Mkabayi, played by Dawn Thandeka King (a darker version of the American songstress Jill Scott) making it more culturally entrenched and the characters more three-dimensional (if anything) and relatable. The narrating styles are strikingly dissimilar too. Based on an eponymous novel written by Joshua Sinclair, Shaka Zulu’s story starts somewhere in the middle with King Shaka at the peak of his formidable reign and a threat to the British then flashes back to his humble origin and rise to power. Shaka Ilembe, on the other hand, starts a bit more traditionally for a modern production: from the very beginning. Never mind its opening scene. But this rather slow start helps the unschooled in Shaka history to understand and grow with the characters.

It’s a Love Story

The story starts with Shaka’s father and mother- the perfect hunk of a Zulu prince and the flawless beauty of an eLangeni princess; their whirlwind but unsanctioned romance, a murder, the petulance of youth, and the drumbeats of war. After all, every epic battle starts with a girl, eh? If you don’t believe me ask Homer (and no, I don’t mean The Simpsons. Smh!).

Shake Ilembe is not just a historical record of one of Africa’s greatest and most decisive monarchs. It is at its very heart a love story. Or a collection of love stories. Quite unexpected for a Shaka series especially when the titular character was anything but romantic. It is an African drama series with an intricate plotline of love, ambition, betrayal, vengeance, pride, honour: one comparable to Spartacus or Vikings Valhalla– heck, even Game of Thrones with its Wars of the Roses inspiration. So finally, we have an African epic series of international standards. One to be proud of.

…And More

With impeccable acting, we watch the mind-blowing metamorphosis of Shaka’s father, Prince Senzangakhona (Senzo Radebe). We practically journey with him through his descent from a young, cocky, and chiselled hero to a mature, insecure, and still chiselled anti-hero. A real narcissistic King Johnny Bravo. There is an underlying consistency in character regardless of this visible transition that makes it all seamless and realistic. And just when you thought the love story between Senangakhona and Nandi (played by the delectable Nomzamo Mbatha of Coming 2 America and Assassins fame- Bruce Willis’ final movie) was the wind beneath the series’ wings. Just when you might have been a bit concerned that the end of this ‘happily-ever-after romance’ would sound the demise of the series for fans only there for ‘the butterflies’, you are introduced to an even more endearing relationship between an altruistic Dingiswayo (Thembinkosi Mthembu) and another beauty cum healer Baleka (Hope Mbhele). Hey, we’re all suckers for a good love story, eh? Regardless of the many times we’ve seen it played out. And it doesn’t hurt that the acting was generally top-notch and convincing.

Mthethwa

Later on in the series, we are introduced to a different sort of love story- and a legendary one at that: Shaka’s unflinching devotion to his mother. It vindicates why we had to start from the very beginning. Without going through their ordeals with them, this unapologetically mummy’s boy persona from such a brutal alpha male, though historically documented, wouldn’t have had the credence it had on camera. In this, Shaka Ilembe stands head and shoulders above its 80s predecessor.

Acting & Actors

But Shaka will always be Henry Cele for many – like Superman is forever Christopher Reeve and Bond, Sean Connery (Roger Moore?) to fans. Henry Cele also reprised his role as Shaka in the 2001 TV movie starring Grace Jones, Omar Sharif, David Hasselhof, Karen Allen and a predominantly white cast. It is thus not surprising that the creators of Shaka Ilembe found someone who could pass for a young Cele with his distinct piercing deep-set eyes, pronounced cheekbones and stony look. If we can’t reincarnate Henry Cele, who passed away in 2007, then Lemogang Tsipa is the next best thing. And that is a big compliment to how he carried this larger-than-life character and made the role his own.

The series is personality-driven with each character having his or her own identity and idiosyncrasies. Ntombazi (Khabonina Qubeka) comes readily to mind, so does her son Zwinde (Wiseman Mncube) and yes, King Jobe (Hamilton Dhlamini). What they convey with their eyes makes the use of words gratuitous. I say no more in this regard. In line with good scriptwriting and directing, the characters seldom veered off their defined personality and when they did, their trigger was evident and understandable. In terms of cinematography, this series was meticulous in its execution of frameable moments and moods. A thumbs up to the directorial team of Angus Gibson, Zeno Petersen, and Adze Ugah.

Overview

In addition to drama, Shaka Ilembe also had its fair share of mysticism here and there- like most African stories do – but done with a certain level of credulity. Although based on historical records, the drama series created its own moments of pure entertainment and intrigue without straying too far from source. This is why I am looking forward to the second season announced by Multichoice even though we know how it all pans out historically.

If you are not averse to seeing a certain level of nudity (mostly toplessness of both genders in line with Zulu custom and authenticity) and gore, then this series comes highly recommended. It’s for a mature audience.

Shaka Ilembe Season 1 is a Bomb! Production series and available on Showmax.

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