Shaka iLembe returns with fierce battles, royal intrigue, and tender romance
The highly anticipated second season of the hit Mzansi Magic series picks up where the first left off: with Shaka no longer just the child of prophecy, but now stepping into his destiny as a leader and military strategist.
While the first season explored Shaka's birth, his trials, and the ancestral forces that shaped him, the second season shifts the lens toward his rise as the legendary founder of the Zulu kingdom.
Also read: 'A Queen's Lobola' sweeps awards season, bringing home top honours
Lemogang Tsipa portrays the adult King Shaka, while Ntando Zondi plays the younger version of the future Zulu king.
Tsipa said there was a lot to expect in this second series – power struggles, intense political manoeuvres, fierce battles, and yes, a few steamy romantic moments that show a different side of the man behind the legend.
Yet at its heart, the series remains deeply rooted in historical truth, offering a visually stunning and culturally rich retelling of the Zulu kingdom's formation.
Asked how he found portraying the transition of Shaka becoming king in the second series, Tsipe said, 'It is a natural progression. For me, it was a surreal kind of experience because it's one of those things where you dream as a person and then pursue that dream. Before Shaka was born, and this [to be king] was supposed to be his destiny, so I think it's a beautiful moment to be able to walk the journey from the start to the fulfillment of what he wanted.
Also read: Fourways High presents Beauty and her Beast
'There's a particular side of Shaka that we haven't seen or heard about in the street books that we do explore in the series. A side that he is a bit more tender and romantic.'
Wiseman Mncube portrays the late King Zwide KaLanga, a very intense character who is always eager for war.
Mncube said tapping into KaLanga's spirit as a character was not easy. 'I always trust myself in anything that I do. Because it is a historical show, obviously we have to research, learn about AboZwide, and ask a lot of questions. So I just told myself, I'll just trust myself, and the script that was given.'
Read more: The Last Ranger short film expose harsh realities of rhino poaching
To mark the return of the show, fans were treated to a vibrant series of activations, where they met the cast, and even got up close with the elaborate costumes used on screen.
The show will premiere its second season on June 15 on Mzansi Magic.
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
From Times Square to the Vegas Strip: Nunurai Mudarikwa's unmissable US escapade
The Mommy Club's former cast mate, Nunurai Mudarikwa, in down town New York. Image: Instagram Nunurai Mudarikwa, a former cast member of the reality series "The Mommy Club", has delighted fans and followers by documenting her epic journey through some of America's most vibrant cities. Taking to TikTok, the talented florist shared glimpses of her travels, which included a thrilling stint in New York City before heading to Las Vegas for the grand finale of Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' tour. The tour, which showcased Beyoncé's much-anticipated eighth studio album, culminated in Las Vegas, drawing a star-studded crowd that featured the likes of Kerry Washington, Maya Rudolph, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Daniel Kaluuya. However, before joining the festivities of one of the entertainment capitals of the world, Mudarikwa soaked up the quintessential New York experience. Beginning her adventure, the former reality star checked into The Westin and made her way to Times Square, where the bright lights and bustling energy encapsulated the city's spirit. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Among her highlights was a visit to Madame Tussauds, where she indulged in some delightful photo opportunities. 'I stopped by Ichiran Noodles for the best ramen ever. I also stopped at Dunkin' to have my favourite drink, and after that, I went for a little Broadway show,' Mudarikwa enthusiastically shared. Her Broadway experience included attending the spectacular production of 'The Lion King,' which captivated her with its stunning visuals and powerful storytelling. Mudarikwa further explored New York's rich culinary landscape with a visit to Little Italy, sampling authentic Italian cuisine. She also reflected on a poignant visit to the 9/11 Memorial and embarked on a serene cruise to Staten Island, where she was treated to iconic views of the Statue of Liberty. The Las Vegas leg of her adventure primarily revolved around the 'Cowboy Carter' tour, solidifying Mudarikwa's whirlwind journey across two dynamic cities. As for Mudarikwa's future, she decided to step away from her reality TV commitments after two successful seasons, revealing that her decision was not made lightly. 'For me, 'The Mommy Club' was a great platform, but I gave it my all,' she explained. 'When the opportunity for another season came, I felt like I didn't align with their plans.'
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- The Citizen
AfriCAN Honoree Authors' Awards returns to Sandton
The 8th AfriCAN Honoree Authors' Awards has returned to Sandton under the powerful banner of No Borders, a call to unite the African continent through storytelling, soul, and shared heritage. The event took place at Sandton Library, Nelson Mandela Square and brought together authors from across the continent, including Namibia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Botswana, Cape Town, Durban and Limpopo. Organiser and founder of AfriCAN Child Your Time is Now, Anthea Thyssen-Ambursley, described the awards as a spiritual and cultural homecoming. Also read: Award celebrates bold women driving change in SA 'I don't see colour. I see soul. I wear all the colours, because I believe in one race, the human race. This event is about reconnecting with who we are, before we were divided by borders, race, or tribes.' A self-published poet and activist, Thyssen-Ambursley said the Pen Legends gathering is an act of resistance, memory, and prophecy. 'If you are roaming this earth and you are not changing anything, it means you have not paid your rent. Writers and creators are prophets; we are here to make people feel, think and act.' She pointed out that the event was entirely self-funded and has become a vibrant platform for authors across Africa to celebrate, network, and build bridges across nations. Also read: The 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards winners announced 'Tomorrow, the sun will shine on all of us. The rain will fall on all of us. So what makes us different? Nothing. What connects us is much more powerful,' she concluded. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- The Citizen
Mango Groove brings its 40th anniversary party to Jozi after an ‘overwhelming' response in Cape Town
Established in 1984, Mango Groove has gripped South African hearts through song for more than four decades. Mango Groove is bringing its 40th anniversary to Johannesburg after a good run in Cape Town earlier this year. 'Kirstenbosch was such a special and moving show for us,' says lead singer Claire Johnston. Established in 1984, the ensemble has gripped South African hearts through song for more than four decades. To celebrate the milestone, Mango Groove first performed a one-night only show at Cape Town's Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in January and now the show is coming to Joburg in September. 'The response was overwhelming and affirmed that this is something we had to bring home to Jozi. After considering many venues, we knew the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens was the perfect choice – family-friendly, stunningly beautiful and ideal for a day under our blue African skies,' Johnston said. ALSO READ: Mango Groove celebrates 40 years of 'Memories and Moments' at one-night-only event in Cape Town Coming to Joburg The Joburg concert will mirror the Kirstenbosch production while adding unique touches and surprises exclusive to the Jozi edition. These include special guest performances from former Prime Circle frontman Ross Learmonth and Majozi, a dazzling visual production and the Special Star dancers. 'This isn't just a concert. It's a moving celebration of our country and the journey we've all shared. It's about joy, connection and the power of music to bring people together,' Johnston said. Before there was a Freshlyground or Kujenga, there was the 11-piece band Mango Groove. Mango Groove has remained consistent in its output over the years and managed to stay relevant in an oversaturated live music space. 'The essence of Mango Groove is what the live show is. It's very much about the live music and the live experience. In a way, the whole market has changed now,' said the band's founding member John Leyden speaking to the Mail & Guardian about a decade ago. 'We have never stopped performing, but we are very selective of the shows we do. There is a danger of that in the South African market — that is very small — you can overstay your welcome. So we tend to perform two shows in a year.' NOW READ: Gregory Maqoma on portraying one of his ancestors on 'Shaka iLembe'
