Shaka Zulu always seemed to be on TV when I was a kid. My dad and I used to watch reruns of Night Court on KBHK-TV 44 after he got home from work when I was younger, and they always played promos for this miniseries during the commercial breaks. So, when it showed up in the press release from A&E/History, I knew I had to finally sit down and finally watch what had somewhat been a part of my childhood.
Clocking in at over eight hours and spanning ten segments, Shaka Zulu tells the epic story of a South African warrior who rose to power and ruled as king of the Zulu nation from 1816 to 1828. The miniseries follows his ascension into kinghood and his eventual downfall.
This is a compelling look at a part of world history that is rarely discussed or even thought about, and yet it is an important part of Africa’s history and heritage. Shaka Zulu’s story of strength and courage is one that everyone can learn from. His wins and his losses, his successes and failures, his journey from mighty warrior to enraged king show that he wasn’t merely a legend; he was human.
This special set includes an interview with the director and Dudu Mkhize who plays Shaka Zulu’s wife, Nandie, in the miniseries. In the interview they discuss how the project was conceived, production, casting, and the impact the film had in South Africa and around the world.
Shaka Zulu is available NOW on DVD!