South African storytelling powerhouse Bomb Productions is celebrating a monumental achievement as their landmark historical drama, Shaka iLembe, completely dominated the nomination list for the 2026 Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards.
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Securing a staggering 17 nominations overall, the epic production tops all other competing titles across the province, cementing its status as a defining cultural phenomenon.
Dominating the performance categories and cast showdowns
The record-breaking haul is highlighted by internal head-to-head showdowns across key acting categories, reflecting the exceptional depth of talent brought together for the series.
In the coveted Best Actor in Television category, lead stars Lemogang Tsipa (for his portrayal of Shaka ka Senzangakhona) and Wiseman Mncube (for his role as King Zwide) are set to square off against one another.
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The critical acclaim continues in the Best Actress in Television race, where executive producer Nomzamo Mbatha earned a nomination for her powerful turn as Queen Nandi, alongside veteran actress Dawn Thandeka King for her performance as Mkabayi kaJama.
The supporting categories saw similar sweeps, with Akhona Ndlovu (Phakathwayo), Zamani Mbatha (Nomahlanjana), and Nkanyiso Mzimela (Somveli) all scoring Best Supporting Actor nods, while screen legend Baby Cele secured a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her performance as Mabhamba.
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Production excellence and honouring KZN’s heritage
Beyond individual performance recognitions, the production itself earned top honors. Bomb Shelter and legendary producer Angus Gibson received a flagship nomination for Best TV Production, recognising the immense technical scale, historical fidelity, and cinematic vision required to bring the reign and world of King Shaka to modern television screens.
The 13th annual Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, 21 November 2026, at The Playhouse in Durban, celebrating KwaZulu-Natal’s vibrant film and television ecosystem.
With 17 nominations leading into the main event, Bomb Productions has firmly set the benchmark for high-concept, heritage-driven South African storytelling.
Featured image: Instagram/@lemogangtsipa
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