Linda Ximba
USA-based South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha is set to make a grand return to the screen in the series Shaka Ilembe, which tells the story of the making of the iconic African king.
The Coming 2 America actress has been confirmed as the series’ female lead.
She will portray Queen Nandi, the mother of Shaka kaSenzangakhona, also known as Shaka Zulu, the founder of the Zulu Kingdom who ruled from 1816 to 1828.
The KwaMashu-born actress is also the executive producer on the much-awaited series, which is set for release in 2023.
Queen Nandi was married to Senzangakhona.
Lemogang Tsipa will play the adult King Shaka and newcomer Ntando Zondi will play the boy Shaka, while Thembinkosi Mthembu will star as King Dingiswayo and Wiseman Mncube will play King Zwide.
MultiChoice and Bomb Productions announced in a statement that production has commenced and filming is already under way in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
“Being able to bring this important story to the screen with such stellar talent speaks to the heart of MultiChoice’s ongoing commitment and investment in our local entertainment industry,” said CEO of MultiChoice Yolisa Phahle.
“We are committed to telling great African stories and this is a proudly African series told through the lens of Africans for the very first time.”
Mbatha said she was honoured to be bringing Queen Nandi to life, adding that she is fortunate to be part of a project that is much bigger “than ourselves” and to tell the story in her own language.
Angus Gibson, creative director at Bomb Productions, said: “It is a cast with deep talent, it is magical witnessing these performers bring life to characters we only know from the history books. When the cast arrives on set, fully dressed in wardrobe and hair from that period, I am blown away.”
Set in the 1700s, “Shaka Ilembe” tells the story of the making of the iconic African king, with iterations from his early childhood through to adulthood.
The production has been six years in the making with consultations with historians, academics and family descendants, including the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
