According to reports, KwaZulu-Natal family members of the tribal leaders portrayed in the hit show Shaka iLembe are not too pleased with how their ancestors are being represented. Families have even approached lawyers to stop season two from being aired.
Isolezwe shared what Godongwana Mthethwa from the royal house of Dingiswayo had this to say on the matter:
“Sikhala ngokudukiswa komlando wethu. Esikufunayo ukuthi ngaphambi kokuthi kube nesizini yesibili, abanikazi bomdlalo baqale baxoxe nathi baphinde bathole imvume. Kuyinhlamba nechilo abakwenzile ukuthi basebenzise amagama obaba ngendlela okungesiyona (We are complaining about the misleading of our culture. What we want before there’s a second season of the [show] is for the organisers to sit down with us and get consent from us. It is a disgrace and disrespectful for them to use names of our elders in a wrong manner).”
Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela posted on X (formerly Twitter) the news from the above-mentioned publications, writing:
“Shaka ILembe season 2 in jeopardy. @IsolezweNews reports that KZN families of tribal leaders who appear in #ShakaIlembeMzansi have approached lawyers to stop Mzansi Magic from airing Season 2 over misrepresentation of facts in the series. SIDENOTE: Back in July, there were issues raised by Queen Nandi’s family about the show and its depiction of historical events.”
TV:
Shaka ILembe season 2 in jeopardy @IsolezweNews reports that KZN families of tribal leaders who appear in #ShakaIlembeMzansi have approached lawyers to stop Mzansi Magic from airing Season 2 over misrepresantation of facts in the series.
Read full story here:… pic.twitter.com/u5Thq01FBF
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) September 26, 2023
Many social media users shared their opinions, with some understanding the frustrations posed by the family and others.
I thought 6 years was spent researching and preparing for this series. Various tribal leaders and historians were consulted, even the King. Also, I thought Bomb Productions made it clear there will be fiction within the series. Imoshakele phi ngoku? https://t.co/2lb8rKp4aA
— Kubo Kubo (@Bantu_Kubo) September 26, 2023
I thought we were all aware that the story is dramatised for viewership. Not everything will stick to the facts. I do hope they did brief them. We are enjoying this version.
— Bheki (@kaMalambule) September 26, 2023
I agree, such shows end up adding sensationalism to story lines for views and we must not forget that this is OUR history as Zulu people.
Abayivale. https://t.co/twzz1gPqE4— Boo (@Boo_Z_) September 26, 2023
Eish very tricky hey. I do get where the Zulus are coming from. https://t.co/dsiFv1j4dN
— Christian Madzivhandila (@Chris_AwesomeZA) September 26, 2023
