How can the star of the show die? A revelation that brought Africa to a standstill when Dingiswayo, one of the leading characters of Shaka iLembe Seasons 1 and 2, played with heroic power by Thembinkosi Mthembu, met his fate. A shocking revelation that brought audiences to a standstill.
A great Mthethwa king, undone not by war but by cold betrayal and muthi.
In Season 1, Godongwana (later known as Dingiswayo) faced betrayal too, from his brother Mawewe, telling lies and hungry to be his father’s heir. This betrayal led to the brutal killing of many of the Mthethwa brothers, and Godongwana, badly wounded, had to disappear into exile, hunted by his own people. He waited in exile, respecting his father’s reign whilst building allegiances of his own, and dreaming of his return to reclaim the Mthethwa throne and avenge the deaths of his brothers. Finally, on hearing of his father’s death, he returned to challenge Mawewe for the throne, now known as Dingiswayo, with a small but loyal army. The night before the clash, driven by principle over vengeance, he offered Mawewe a final chance to surrender. Mawewe refused. He ran to the Qwabe for military support.
The battle was a storm of shields and spears. Mawewe hid from the battlefield as Dingiswayo’s strategy and experience prevailed. Mawewe was finally captured and begged for his life. Dingiswayo spared him but silenced his treacherous tongue, the source of so much death. Mawewe was exiled. Dingiswayo ascended the Mthethwa throne.
The periodic drama reflects events that transpired in Nguniland during the rise of King Shaka.It was during this period that Dingiswayo first saw Shaka fighting alongside the Qwabe.
“I saw you at the Qwabe battle. You showed bravery,” he later told the young warrior. Their bond deepened when years later, Dingiswayo said, “Sigidi, you are a son to me”. Shaka had found a father figure and ally.
The hit tv show has captured viewers across the continent,and particularly has become of interest in the Sadc region as it prominently features historical leaders and founders of the region including Mzilikazi,who later became the King of the Ndebele State when he settled is Zimbabwe after fleeing from Shaka.
Shaka Ilembe season 2 is currently screening on Dstv channels,Mzansi Magic,Zambezi Magic,Maisha Magic and Africa Magic on Sundays at 8pm.
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