Shaka Zulu

The television series Shaka Zulu is based on the life and experiences of the King of the Zulu known as King Shaka. The challenges he had in ruling his people especially with the several confrontations with Bristish traders. Shaka was a very important and powerful leader during his reign over the Zulu people. The series also portrayed the actual traditions of the people of the Zulu land.

It all started during the period during the reign of Queen Victoria she decided that the British have some control over the Zulu people.

The series portrays the role of foretelling in the life of Shaka. Even before he was born it had been foreseen how he would be born, how he would be banished from his locality of origin and be exiled, but later on rise to power and contribute enormously in rebuilding the Zulu Kingdom. His struggles, involvements in battles with Europeans and his skillfulness in getting through all that had been prophesied.

His life through tough childhood, rise and causes of his fall from the throne also portrayed.

The series was written by Joshua Sinclair based on inspiration he got from one of his novels and it was directed by William Faure. Leon Rautenbach served as the executive producer of the series while editing was done by Bill Lenny and Ettie Feldman.

The series comprised of ten episodes each airing for about fifty minutes. Production of the series was done by the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

The actors and actresses starring in the series included Henry Cele who featured as the King Shaka, Edward Fox - as Francis Farewell, Robert Powell as Henry Fynn, Trevor Howard as Lord Charles Henry Somerset, Fiona Fullerton as Elizabeth Farewell, Christopher Lee as Lord Bathurst, Dudu Mkhize as Nandi, Roy Dotrice as King George IV, Gordon Jackson as Prof. Bramston, Kenneth Griffith -as Zacharias Abrahams, Conrad Magwaza as Senzagakona, Patrick Ndlovu as Mudli, Roland Mqwebu as Ngomane, Gugu Nxumalo as Mkabayi, Nokwe featuring as Pampata.