1986 South African television miniseries
Shaka Zulu
is a 1986 South African
television series
directed by
William C. Faure
and written by
Joshua Sinclair
for the
South African Broadcasting Corporation
(SABC), based on his 1985 novel of the same name.
It focuses on the rise of the
Zulu
, and their leader,
Shaka
, his wars, and the British administration. The series consists of 10 episodes of approximately 55 minutes each. It was aired in South Africa from October, and in the United States in syndication from November.
Plot
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The series is based on the story of the king of the
Zulu
,
Shaka
(reigned 1816 to 1828), and the writings of the British
traders
with whom he interacted. It also covers the broader
Mfecane
period alongside the rapid expansion of the
Zulu state
. The story is described primarily via flashbacks by Dr Henry Fynn, an Irish doctor.
[2]
Production
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The series was written for the
South African Broadcasting Corporation
(SABC) by
Joshua Sinclair
, based on his 1985 novel of the same name.
[3]
Harmony Gold USA
partly funded and distributed
Shaka Zulu
in spite of
the economic sanctions at the time
.
[4]
It was directed by
William C Faure
. The executive producer was Leon Rautenbach, and the composer was Dave Pollecutt.
Lead actor
Henry Cele
was an international star, performing in his native South Africa and in the United States as well. He was selected for the role after performing the same role in a South African stage production of the same name.
[5]
Cele appeared again in 2001 as Shaka in the 3-hour 2-part miniseries, also written and directed by Sinclair, called
Shaka Zulu: The Citadel
. Set in winter 1827, Fox also reprised his role as Farewell, and also starred
David Hasselhoff
and
Karen Allen
. It was also released in a 2-hour telemovie version called
Shaka Zulu: The Last Great Warrior
.
[6]
Simon Sabela
[
fr
]
also organised the dance routines in the original 1964
Zulu
film, and played Cetshwayo in
Zulu Dawn
in 1979.
Cast
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Episodes
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Reception
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Although popular, the series was criticised by
The Los Angeles Times
for its character portrayals and focus on violence.
[2]
The New York Times
reviewed it positively, describing the series as an "enthralling television exercise" but noted public suspicion of it at the time due to the financial support the series received from then
apartheid
government of South Africa.
[8]
Donald Morris wrote that it was one of the most repeatedly viewed miniseries in North American television at the time having been watched by over 350 million viewers.
[9]
When Shaka Zulu was broadcast in Singapore on
SBC 12
in 1986, it was praised by arts enthusiasts as an example of "quality production" after the local authorities banned a performance by topless African dancers at that year's
Singapore Arts Festival
, which has since revoked.
[10]
In 2021, NewRetroWave gave it a positive review for its cinematography and strong acting performances.
[11]
Soundtrack
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The theme song of the series, "We Are Growing", was sung by
Margaret Singana
.
Charts
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References
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External links
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