Shaka Ilembe

Shaka Ilembe is a South African series produced by Bomb! A production for M-Net's channel Mzansi Magic.,^[3] a Multichoice company. The series, South Africa's most expensive show to date,^[4] retells the story of King Shaka of the Zulu Kingdom and his quest to fight for his throne. It stars Nomzamo Mbatha^[5] as Queen Nandi KaBhebhe and Senzo Radebe,^[6] as King Senzangakhona kaJama.

The series premiered on 18, June 2023, recording 3.6 million viewers in its first week, the best ratings ever for a Multichoice-produced drama series.^[7]

In September 2024, Shaka Ilembe became the most nominated drama series in SAFTA history, with 17 nominations. ^[8][9] At the 18th SAFTA ceremony held in October 2024, the series won 12 awards, including Best TV drama, the most of any nominee, and garnering Multichoice a total of 46 awards.^[10][11]

Multichoice announced in September 2023 that the series was renewed for a second season ^[12] with Nomzamo Mbatha returning as lead actress and producer of the series. Lebogang Tsipa will reprise his role as the title character "Shaka" and Dawn Thandeka King in her role as "Mkabayi". Thembinkosi Mthembu, Ntando Duma and Mduduzi Mabaso are expected to reprise their roles as King Dingiswayo, Queen Bhibhi and Gendeyana respectively.

M-Net and Multichoice had officially announced the series in May 2018, with four years of planning prior to the announcement. Production took six years to complete,^[4][13] with the consultation of historians, academics and family descendants, including the late King Goodwill Zwelithini and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. During this time American network Showtime, which had planned to film their version with a backing of $90 million,^[14][15] suddenly scraped their production which was towards completion.^[16]

Location scouting for the series commenced in 2019,^[17][18][19] with principal filming of the series taking place in 2022 at the Greater Cradle Nature Reserve, and in the towns of Eshowe, Nkandla Forest, Port Edward, Drakensburg, Mooi River and Zulu Falls in KwaZulu-Natal,^[20] with more than 120 builders and thatchers from KwaZulu-Natal engaged in building the sets.^[21] Filmmakers had to stick to a rigid building schedule to abide by the prescribed on-site protocols in keeping with the strict rules of the nature reserve. According to crew, the sets in Johannesburg took over nine months to build.

Before its television debut, the series had a private screening at Montecasino, Johannesburg.^[22][23]

The series premiered on 18 June 2023, airing weekly on Mzansi Magic. While the series was filmed in 4K, the series was aired in HD quality.^[24]

Episodes of the series were immediately aired after their Mzansi Magic debut across the African continent through M-Net's other local interest channels. The series was shown on Maisha Magic Plus in Kenya,^[25] Akwaaba Magic in Ghana, Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Urban in Nigeria and the rest of Africa,^[26] Pearl Magic Prime in Uganda,^[27] and Zambezi Magic in Zambia. The series was later added on the relaunched streaming service Showmax.^[28]

The series is also shown in French-speaking territories, through Canal+.^[29]

• Shaka Ilembe at IMDb
• Shaka Ilembe at TVSA