Zulu History Reimagined with Shaka Ilembe

One can never forget the striking image of late South African actor Henry Cele in his traditional Zulu attire. During the opening sequence of the SABC 1 series titled after the warrior king Shaka Zulu, he is seen holding Umkhonto (his spear) along with Ihawu (his shield). With the physique of a true warrior, he wears a loin covering made of goatskin, known as ibheshu in IsiZulu tradition. His face resembled a stoic leader, a triumphant king emerging from a ruthless war. Behind him is a stretched battlefield, from which people appear to sing and chant around him, "Bayethe Uyinkosi" (hail to the king), a soundtrack that would soon make its way out of that black and white TV set directly into the audience's hearts.

History books across the board may have told the story of the Zulu nation in much depth and great length before, but this television series made it come alive. Nearly 37 years later, a new generation proudly retells the same story through Shaka iLembe—a remake that has reignited interest and captured the essence of Zulu culture. Like the first one, the series is set in the 1700s, portraying the rise of the iconic Zulu warrior from his childhood through his reign as AmaZulu king. Shaka iLembe is praised for its meticulous world-building, stunning cinematography and a compelling cast.

Image: brucedennill.co.za

Accolades, Celebration And Cultural Misinterpretation

It became an instant hit, making history by winning 12 Golden Horn awards at the 18th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). As South Africans beam with pride from the success of the first season and the long-awaited premiere of the second, another visual emerges. A stark contrast to what we are taught through the series about Zulu history and tradition; on March 4, 2025, the internet was confronted by images of a Mardi Gras parade in which the Social Aid & Pleasure Club was seemingly portraying what many saw as a misinterpretation of the Zulu Culture in South Africa. The group wore costumes adorned with feathers and unfamiliar accessories. The paraders, with black paint on their faces during exaggerated performances, fuelled the outrage of many Zulu and non-Zulu-speaking South Africans. Some Americans agreed with the view that the paraders misrepresented the culture. On X (formerly Twitter), @xoxonikkinik wrote, "Zulu tribal people mad because the Zulu parade doesn't reflect their culture. I'm from New Orleans, and I agree with them."

Interestingly, Dr. Sipho Sithole, a South African music legend and scholar now based in Washington, D.C., came out in defense of the club, highlighting their actions as a reflection of the historical disadvantage black Americans face. He makes an interesting observation about black Americans' longing for a root-level identity because of slavery. In the view of Dr Sithole, the paraders and other groups alike should never be shamed for their constant search for belonging.

Image: themediaonline

The Universal "Zulu" brand

Despite its deep historical significance, one might still question the misplaced symbolism. In today's digital age—with access to shows like Shaka iLembe and countless other sources of information—it's hard to justify such missteps. The AmaZulu take great pride in their heritage, a legacy from King Shaka himself. More broadly, the distortion of African culture by Americans has long been a point of tension. However, when that culture is explored and reimagined in a respectful, creative, and relatable way, it has the potential to resonate and thrive truly.

For example, Afrika Bambathaa, a pioneer of Hip-Hop, led the Universal Zulu Nation in the early 1970s. The members organized cultural events that combined multiple art disciplines, which would become known as the various elements of Hip-Hop culture as we know it today. Afrika Bambaataa pointed to the name "Zulu" as being inspired by a 1964 film of the Anglo-Zulu War.

Zulu in itself simply means heavens or sky, and the Amazulu are known to be the People of Heaven. If we are all people of the earth, then we are all people primarily belonging to the heavens. Each one of us can claim the root meaning of the Zulu name. This is how it became universal and, in the words of Dr. Sithole, 'became a brand.' So the question is: Do we, as Africans, gatekeep the name at the risk of blocking the exploration of our culture in its many expressions, or do we embrace this as an opportunity to educate and bridge the cultural exchange gap between us and black Americans, bearing in mind the shared history and ancestry.

Season 2 of Shaka Ilembe premiered on Dstv channel 161 in South Africa and Showmax for an international audience on June 15, 2025.