About
South Africa, 1823. The Zulu Empire, headed by King Shaka, a brilliant but ruthless military strategist, begin to encroach on the British colony of Cape Town. A volunteer cadre of explorers, mercenaries and professional soldiers are sent to Zululand to try to make contact with Shaka and assess the real threat of his army.
Cast
Henry Cele
as Shaka
Dudu Mkhize
as Nandi
Edward Fox
as Lt. Francis Farewell
Robert Powell
as Dr. Henry Fynn
Trevor Howard
as Lord Charles Somerset
Fiona Fullerton
as Elizabeth Farewell
Christopher Lee
as Lord Bathurst
Roy Dotrice
as George IV
Gordon Jackson
as Prof. Bramston
Kenneth Griffith
as Zacharias Abrahams
Conrad Magwaza
as Senzagakona
Patrick Ndlovu
as Mudli
Roland Mqwebu
as Ngomane
Gugu Nxumalo
as Mkabayi
Tu Nokwe
as Pampata
Khumbulani Cele
as Shaka (6-11)
Glen Gabela
as Shaka (15-19)
Daphne Hlomuka
as Queen Ntombazi
Vuyisile Bojana
as Mgobozi
Bingo Mbonjeni
as Bhuza
Episodes
Miniseries
Part 1
In 1823, warriors from the Zulu Empire, headed by Shaka, a brilliant but ruthless military strategist, begin to encroach on the outskirts of the British colony of Cape Town, in South Africa. In desperation, Cape Town's governor requests assistance from King George IV of Great Britain to bolster their tenuous position, but the British have no more resources to send. Instead, Lt. Francis Farewell, Dr. Henry Fynn and a volunteer cadre of mercenaries, explorers, and professionals are recruited and sent to Zululand to try to contact Shaka and assess the real threat of his storied army.
Part 2
After being shipwrecked off the coast of Zululand, the British are escorted to Shaka's capital, Kwa Bulawayo, where they meet Shaka and his mother Nandi. Shaka then demonstrates his power over his people and proves to Farewell that he is not a man to be underestimated.
Part 3
Dr. Fynn chronicles Shaka's life and rise to power starting with the meeting and affair between Nandi and Prince Senzangakona of the Zulu tribe. Despite Senzangakona's marriage to another and Nandi's fathers attempts to marry her off, they continue to meet, and Nandi becomes pregnant. She gives birth to a boy who she names Shaka, meaning “beetle.”
Part 4
Nandi's father demands that the Zulu recognize Nandi and the baby Shaka. Senzangakona, now king of the Zulu, takes her as his wife. However, he continually abuses Nandi, until one day Shaka cannot take it anymore and threatens his father to kill him. Nandi and Shaka flee and return to her people, but find themselves the object of scorn, so they flee once again.
Part 5
Shaka has grown into a fine young man. Senzangakona invites him to return to Zululand and become his heir. Shaka returns but disrupts a ceremony and is forced to flee for his life. He is taken in by another tribe and trained as a foot soldier. However, he clashes with the generals over how to fight.
Part 6
Shaka goes deep into the Nkandla forest and asks a blacksmith to forge a stabbing spear, named “ixwa.” Shaka returns to his regiment and convinces the king that his new method of warfare is worth trying. His new regiment are used against the Zulu and win the day. Soon after, Senzangakona dies and Shaka takes the throne for himself.
Part 7
Farewell and his men become Shaka's guests. Shaka is severely wounded during an assassination attempt and Dr. Fynn saves his life. In gratitude, Shaka gives Farewell both land and permission to hunt elephants for ivory. Meanwhile in Cape Town, Shaka and Farewell are both proclaimed dead.
Part 8
Farewell and his men establish Port Natal on the coast. However, the men are restless, and they wish to return home, but Shaka forces them to join him in a war against another tribe. He uses them and their cannon to force the enemy into making a first move. This results in an overwhelming victory for the Zulu.
Similar Shows
Shows like this one
Recommended for You
Based on this series
