By Linda Ximba
Doubt has been cast over the release of the eagerly-awaited series Shaka Ilembe after the families whose forebears raised the AmaZulu king vowed to take its producers to court.
The Mhlongo and Mthethwa families say they were duped into thinking they would benefit out of the Mzansi Magic show.
Produced by Nomzamo Mbatha, the series tells the story of King Shaka, who conquered many tribes and later formed the powerful AmaZulu Empire.
Mhlathuze Mhlongo, who is from the side of Shaka’s mother, Queen Nanda, told Scrolla.Africa that they have consulted with their legal advisers about the way forward.
“These people came to Empangeni and we gave them permission to film Queen Nanda’s grave and did all sorts of things there. It has turned out that they sold us a dummy as we have learnt they will do the final production work in Joburg.
“We were meant to believe the Mhlongos, who contributed in birthing one of the powerful traditional kings in the world, would benefit out of this big project,” said Mhlongo.
Phila Mthethwa, who is from kwesakaMthethwa village in Empangeni in northern KwaZulu-Natal, where King Shaka was raised, added they were hurt by the filmmakers leaving them in the lurch.
“They softened us up by taking us to a fancy Ballito place where we narrated the history of the Zulu king and his mother the queen. Now they have turned their backs on us, saying there’s no cent we will get.
“We were hoping to get something to maintain the king and queen legacy and uplift our poverty-stricken village. We will meet them in court,” said Mthethwa.
Shaka Ilembe is meant to be released in 2023 and stars an array of Mzansi talent like Wiseman Mncube, Lemogang Tsipa, Thembinkosi Mthembu and Duma Ntando who are dominating both small and big screens.
Attempts to get comment from The Bomb Shelter director Angus Gibson drew a blank as he did not return sent messages.
Pictured above: Nomzamo Mbatha
Image source: Supplied
