The South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) were off the chain this past weekend, which saw the epic drama Shaka iLembe smashing records, snagging a mind blowing 12 awards – the most for any drama series EVER in SAFTA history.
A standout victory was Thembinkosi Mthembu’s Best Actor award for his portrayal of King Dingiswayo. This was a highly competitive category, with Mthembu even competing against himself for his role in Adulting. Talk about legendary! This guy was on fire! He was also nominated for Best Actor in a Telenovela for Outlaws (another awesome Showmax Original) and even got a nod for Best Supporting Actor in The River. Sadly, he didn’t win those, but come on, four SAFTA nominations in one go? That’s insane!
The best part though is he was super humble about the whole thing. In an interview, Mthembu expressed his gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the importance of Shaka iLembe in showcasing South African culture and history. He also acknowledged the dedication of the entire team behind the show’s success.But let’s be real, Shaka iLembe wouldn’t be the phenomenon it is without Thembinkosi’s incredible performance. He totally brought King Dingiswayo to life, and it’s clear that this role meant the world to him.
Shaka iLembe’s impact extends beyond the SAFTAs. Over four million people tuned in for the premiere and It was the most Googled TV series in South Africa last year. Fans of the show are obsessed for good reason, the series has been praised for its authentic portrayal of Zulu history and its use of indigenous languages.
Fans of Mthembu and Shaka iLembe can look forward to new seasons of both Shaka iLembe and Outlaws on Showmax, which continues to be a leading platform for high-quality South African content.
