Story of King Shaka makes it on to global streaming platform

MANZINI Zungu is close to tears.

His short film has just made it on to one of the biggest streaming platforms in the world.

His film, UShaka Inkosi YamaKhosi, which has been in the making for the past 15 years, will be streamed on Netflix, and Zungu simply cannot contain his excitement.

“Even though we began the production of Shaka just under three years ago, the vision was born over 10 years ago. And now to share this vision with the global audience on a global and renowned platform is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. There are no words to describe the euphoria and satisfaction I’m feeling.”

The award-winning work is a short animation film about the Zulu king Shaka and his empire.

Zungu a businessman and CEO of Pacinamix, serves as executive producer and director on the film.

He birthed the film to inspire children around the world to delve within themselves and find the hero that lies within – a notion that he learnt as a young boy.

“The story is about uShaka kaSenzangakhona, the founder of the Zulu nation and one of the greatest monarchs of our continent. The story of Shaka is one that has conflicted historians and academics. If you look at all the material on Shaka there are so many variations and accounts on the character of Shaka.

“This has resulted in Shaka and his legacy being showered in mysticism. What was important for me with this project was to focus on the characteristics of Shaka. To show Shaka as a human being who faced many adversities from a young age to his adult years in the same way we face our own challenges on a daily basis.

“One of the fundamental aspects that have always been omitted in the records of Shaka was his musical gift. Shaka, over and above being a military tactician, and having prophetic gifts, was a musician, songwriter and composer. He would often comfort his people with music and inspire his troops in song. The musical direction was an important element of this film and we went to great lengths to showcase this.”

Zungu said he worked closely with

several traditional experts and custodians in developing the musical aspect of the film.

“I brought Ndabo Zulu to help me compose the film’s score and together we went on a musical journey in unraveling the music of Shaka’s era and bringing it for the modern day audience.”

The film has already won three global awards, and has been shown at various film festivals around the world.

Zungu said, having the film stream on Netflix was the “icing on the cake”.

He said it was important that he retold the story of Shaka Zulu in animation.

“I wanted to introduce Shaka to a global community in a way that would disarm the audience from previous narratives and depictions of Shaka.

“Animation allowed me to do this as it was more universal. It allows people to watch and absorb the story without forming any preconceptions. Also there was a younger audience I wanted to reach out to.

“There are many lessons I infused within the film that I wanted younger people to grasp, such as being able to overcome challenges by tapping into the hero within. Animation is such a powerful medium. It’s global and it really encompasses the narrative of technology and innovation when it comes to film making.

“There are also other themes that talk to courage, leadership, and faith and so animation allowed us to embody all these lessons in a relatable way because animation rises above colour, race, and nationality.”

Zungu said he hoped that all South Africans tune into Netflix to watch the movie.

“I would love for every South African to see this film because it’s an African story that should resonate with every one of us as Africans and South Africans. We need to be the masters and writers of our own stories and that starts with knowing them.”