‘Shaka iLembe’ Accused of Misleading Viewers: “I Gave All the Relevant Information”
- Several historians are criticising Shaka iLembe for misrepresenting history in Season 2, which is currently airing
- Historians pointed to several inaccuracies, such as the names of one of the characters and the omission of a major general from the storyline
- Shaka iLembe responded to the criticism and offered reasons for the misspellings and omissions of some information
Source: Instagram
Hebanna! Historians are accusing the writers behind Shaka iLembe of misleading viewers.
Shaka iLembe has won over critics and viewers alike since the premiere of Season 2 with back-to-back critically acclaimed episodes. Some of its cast members, such as Thembinkosi Mthembu, who portrayed King Dingiswayo, have received their flowers for their sterling performance in the Mzansi Magic historical drama. However, not everyone is pleased.
Several historians have come out guns blazing against Shaka iLembe for its alleged misinterpretation of Ndwandwe history.
Shaka iLembe criticised for allegedly misleading viewers
Speaking to Daily Sun, Ukhozi FM presenter and historian Tshatha Ngobe, argued that Inkosi Zwide didn’t stay at his father's Gugunkomo Royal Palace as depicted in Shaka iLembe Season 2.
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Ngobe said Zwide’s Royal Palace was located at KwaNongoma, in present-day Nongoma town in KwaZulu-Natal, where the Ndwandwes are based.
“As the area is called Nongoma, it all started at Zwide’s royal palace. It is surprising that in the show, nowhere is Nongoma mentioned,” he said.
While acknowledging Shaka iLembe’s high production value, Ngobe also pointed out another inaccuracy regarding who led the amabutho when the Ndwandwe and the Zulu went to war in 1824.
“It is concerning to see amabutho from the Ndwandwe and not see Zwangendaba,” he said.
Khaya Ndwandwe, a custodian of Ndwandwe history, echoed Ngobe’s concerns. He told Daily Sun that despite providing the writers of the award-winning series with the relevant information, they chose not to use it.
“What hurts me more is that, as the Ndwandwe history custodian, I gave all the relevant information to 'Shaka iLembe', but they are not using it,” he said.
Khaya also criticised Shaka iLembe for allegedly misspelling Zwide's son's name as Nomahlanjana instead of Nomhlanjana, which translates to a small amount of cattle.
Source: Getty Images
Shaka iLembe responds to historians' criticism
Responding to the backlash, Shaka iLembe publicist, Portia Hlongwane, said the production relied on a variety of sources. Using King Zwide’s son as an example, Hlongwane said multiple variations of the name, such as Nomhlajana, Nomahlanjana, and Nomahla-njana, were all mentioned by the historians they consulted.
She also explained that for practical and financial reasons, the production crew uses its discretion on what to leave out.
“For instance, while historical kings had multiple palaces, we portray only one per kingdom to streamline filming, though characters may occasionally refer to other palaces,” she said.
Source: Getty Images
Simphiwe Dana blasts Shaka iLembe and Nomzamo Mbatha
Meanwhile, this isn't the first criticism levelled against Shaka iLembe.
Briefly News reported that veteran musician Simphiwe Dana blasted Nomzamo Mbatha and Shaka iLembe for being copycats.
The Ndiredi hitmaker went on a rant in a now-deleted post about how they had never appreciated her style or even acknowledged that she inspired them.
Source: Briefly News
