Shaka iLembe: Destiny And The Role Women Played
I hope that my analysis encourages you to watch Shaka iLembe and I hope that you also choose to be courageous in whatever you seek to do because destiny delayed is not denied.
Shaka iLembe aired its first season this year and there are twelve episodes in this season. The production is narrated beautifully by Mkabayi kaJama and her narrations are in isiZulu. It was different to the usual tv series I’ve watched and by the end of episode 2, it felt as if I was reading a story book. Mkabayi’s narrations provided further context and insight into each of the episodes and without them I think it’s safe to say that the production may not have been as engaging as it had been.
We begin the season by exploring life prior to Shaka’s arrival, focusing on the development of Princess Nandi and Prince Senzangakhona kaJama’s relationship. One important thing to note is the prophecy that was given than an heir that will rule the Zulu nation and become a respected and powerful ruler. Whilst there are various themes that prevail throughout the season, I would like to focus and centre my discussion on destiny and the role that women played in Shaka iLembe.
Contextualising the time this production was set; a woman’s dignity was dependent on many factors such as her ability to abstain from pre-marital sexual affairs and her ability to build household legacies through childbirth. As the episodes progress, we come to understand that Nandi is no longer a virgin and whilst Senzangakhona promises to follow through with the appropriate traditional and cultural practices we eventually see that he does quite the opposite. Pregnant with the heir that was prophesied to be a great ruler in the Zulu kingdom Nandi was made an outcast but her royal household and also rejected and lied upon by Senzangakhona the very one she loved dearly.
As the story of Shaka unfolds, we come to see how the women that we are introduced too in Shaka iLembe play a significant role in furthering Shaka’s destiny. The predestined ruler of the Zulu kingdom who would subsequently go forth and conquer other kingdoms. Without Baleka, who was Dingiswayo’s healer and lover Dingiswayo would not be alive. It was her guidance, knowledge of the land and herbal healing, and most importantly their shared love which kept Dingiswayo alive during his time in Exile and he had to be alive in order to fulfil the role he had in Shaka’s destiny.
If Mkabayi did not uphold the importance of the prophecy and wanting to ensure the rightful ruler is installed, Shaka may not have been accepted into the royal household the way he was and the guidance and insider knowledge she provided him in the final episode clearly illustrates who her alliance and loyalty lies with. Lastly without Nandi’s never-ending perseverance, faith and, determination in ensuring that Shaka’s birth right is restored destiny as we know it and saw it in Shaka iLembe may not have been fulfilled if she had given up.
Baleka
Whilst love conquers all Baleka chose her destiny over love. Episode 8 details their final meeting in which she makes it clear to Dingiswayo that she has made her choice. Now as a lover of love this episode left me feeling sad that their union would come to an end but it was also empowering to see how despite the societal expectations of the time and also present times, she chose herself and that was a fulfilling moment to witness. Often times as women, there is a conflict between the love and following our destiny and at times we may feel inclined to choose the comfortability of love over our destiny and following our own path. As a traditional healer, Baleka assisted Dingiswayo throughout exile when they rediscovered each other and also whilst he was in his royal homestead the Mthethwa kingdom. Using her knowledge of the land, she was able to heal him through her healing powers and it was evident that their love only grew stronger as the episodes progressed. I believe that the role she played in Shaka iLembe and also in Shaka’s destiny was keeping Dingiswayo’s spirit alive both spiritually and physically after he was attacked by the Mthethwa guard. I also recall the scene in which Dingiswayo speaks to his ancestors to help him reunite with Baleka since he had reason to believe she was dead.
Towards the end of the season, Dingiswayo later takes Shaka under his wings and makes him leader of the army and whilst credit should be given to Gendeyana for his role in nurturing the warrior in Shaka that still needed to be tamed and guided by the time he lived under Dingiswayo’s rule he was able to command battles and take charge like the warrior he is which we see in episodes 10 and 11. We therefore see how Baleka also played an essential role in ensuring that destiny prevails. As many say destiny is not denied it is only delayed.
I will also link Hope Mabele’s description of her role as Baleka here as it is a must read!
Mkabayi
Defiant in confirming to societal and familial expectations of marriage, Mkabayi takes a firm stand to not conform to the pressures of marriage despite seeking to maintain family alliances from previous lovers, we see her stand firm and confident in her decision. A voice of reason to the young and perhaps ego driven Senzangakhona kaJama who is her blood brother, she provides guidance to her little brother despite her position as a women in the royal household but also within wider society she was not afraid to apprehend or caution Senzangakhona.
It is evident that Mkabayi seeks to preserve the great Zulu kingdom and thus as the episodes progress, we can see the role she played in welcoming Nandi and Shaka into the royal household and the effort she made in ensuring that Shaka also knew his family despite Senzangakhona’s discontent regarding this. As mentioned above we truly see her display of loyalty in the final episode as Shaka and his step-brother prepare to battle for the thrown after the demise of his father. It is without doubt that Mkabayi’s allegiance to upholding tradition and the reverence she had towards the prophecy also led to the fulfilment of destiny as we see in season one.
Nandi
As a viewer you can’t help but empathise and feel the pain that Nandi experiences as a result of Senzangkhona’s denial and rejection of impregnating her. She and Shaka never really had a home and it was only until Gendeyana took Nandi for who she was and not the shame or disgrace people saw in her did they have a stable home. Nandi did all that she could do to ensure that Shaka knew his roots and father despite the rejection and societal shame that followed them she never gave up. Witnessing Shaka being mistreated by Senzangakhona and removing them from the royal household was painful to watch. To some extent this rejection and abandonment also brought shame upon her and Shaka and her royal household but this did not stop Nandi from re-strategising. She alliances to powerful men such as Gendeyana and Dingiswayo who in return created a place for her and Shaka to belong and call home. A place where Shaka would be treated with love and be respect. We see towards the end of the season Shaka mentions in isiZulu that his mum’s dignity has been restored. He honours his mother’s perseverance and unwillingness to give up and is proud to be acknowledged amongst men of high esteem.
So, as we have seen these specific women have in one way or another played a pivotal role in Shaka’s destiny in season one. Now, this is not to say that these were the only women who did so but these are the female characters who stood out to me.
Their bravery and courage and most importantly their understanding of faith and destiny remained central to their own individual journeys. I was very sad when season one had ended and I am hopeful that season two will begin sooner than later. I hope that my analysis encourages you to watch Shaka iLembe and I hope that you also choose to be courageous in whatever you seek to do because destiny delayed is not denial.
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