
Celebs dazzle in royalty fashion at the Shaka iLembe launch
The 'Shaka iLembe' Season 2 launch was held at Montecasino in Fourways on Thursday night. Pictures: Supplied
South African celebrities have stepped onto the gold carpet in regal, African-inspired fashion to celebrate the much-anticipated new season of Shaka iLembe.
But while the stars had all the room to shine, members of the media were left navigating a gold carpet as cramped as a shopping aisle.
Trying to take a picture or secure an interview felt like strutting through a straw.
However, that did not take away from what was a beautiful event, also attended by the reigning king of the Zulu nation, Misuzulu kaZwelithini.
ALSO READ: Q&A with Tirelo and Mpumelelo Mseleku: Parenthood, engagement rumours and 'Izingane Zes'thembu' S3
Shaka iLembe season 2 launch: A star studded event
The stars delivered — dressed in majestic African fabrics, bold beadwork and regal silhouettes, fit for a royal story like Shaka iLembe.
Among the A-listers in attendance were Nomzamo Mbatha, Dawn Thandeka King, JoJo Robinson, Mbuso Khoza, KB Motsilanyane and many more.
Lead actor Lemogang Tsipa told The Citizen he cannot wait for viewers to witness the action this season, especially the evolution of his character, Shaka.
'This is the season where we see Shaka grow from king to king of kings — taking over all the nations,' he said.
'I think the biggest challenge is obviously filling the great shoes of such a king who has left a massive legacy.'
Season two premieres this Sunday on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) at 8pm.
CEO of general entertainment at MultiChoice, Nomsa Philiso, said the show continues to bring history to life.
'The show has not only brought history to life, but it has also contributed to shaping the discourse around it. It's a powerful reminder of the richness of our heritage,' she said.
NOW READ: Ofentse Tsipa: The 'global mama' on being a South African on Kenya's The Mommy Club
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
'The Blessing': Vincent Tshituka and wife share sweet wedding post
Springbok Vincent Tshituka and his wife Katlego Monare are sharing more content from their picturesque wedding which took place a week ago. The rugby player and his influencer bride wed in an intimate ceremony attended by close family and friends. Last month, the DRC-born player proudly made his green and gold debut against Italy at Loftus. In an Instagram post, Vincent Tshituka shared a clip of his beautiful wedding ceremony to wife Katlego Monare. 'He who finds a wife finds a good thing,' he says to the camera, which captures him weeping as he waits for his bride at the altar. The couple received showers of blessings as rain soaked them while they said their vows. The clip featured imagery of the couple enjoying intimate moments together and celebrating with their friends and family. 'The blessing,' read the caption of the emotional post. In November last year, Vincent Tshituka and Katlego Monare celebrated their lobola negotiations with a ceremony merging their Congolese and South African cultures. The Springbok also posted a screenshot of a DM he had sent to his partner in 2022. In it, the brazen rugby player stated his intentions to marry the beautiful woman. 'I'll come back to this in a couple of years to see', she jokingly responded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.


The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
'Chapter is closed': Tatjana Smith won't swim competitively again
Former Olympic swimmer Tatjana Smith (formerly Schoenmaker) has reflected on the first anniversary of her retirement, insisting she has no desire to ever competitively compete again. The 28-year-old ended her professional career after a successful stint at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, where she won gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m race. Tatjana is the wife of sports agent Joel Smith, who is the brother of former Springbok WAG, Rachel Kolisi. In an Instagram post, Tatjana Smith reflected on the anniversary of her decision to suddenly retire from competitive swimming. As South Africa's 'golden girl', the news came as a surprise to the public. She shared: 'It still feels surreal. A journey that began with a dream ended up exceeding every expectation I ever had. Swimming gave me more than medals or records — it shaped who I am. It taught me discipline, resilience, humility, and the power of showing up, again and again.' Tatjana added that her final race was dedicated to her family, who made many sacrifices to make her dreams come true, and even to her competitors, who helped motivate her. She continued: 'Swimming gave me a stage — but more importantly, it gave me a purpose, a second family, and moments I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. 'The chapter has closed, but the gratitude never will'. After retiring, Tatjana Smith revealed that she planned to enjoy quality time with her husband, family, and friends, and discover her new interests. She's also been vocal about her mental health challenges, particularly how swimming on a world stage amplified the pressure, and her anxiety, and how she now plans to slow down. In a new interview with SwimSwam magazine, Tatjana hinted that she was concerned about the sport's lack of money. She shared: 'In South Africa, we don't get paid by our federation, so athletes rely on sponsorships. But sponsorships are often based on performance; if you don't place at the top, there's little financial support. 'Winning bronze, for example, barely covers expenses. I realized that if I continued swimming, it would be purely for financial reasons, and that's not why I started. I swam because I loved it and wanted to leave on my terms.' She added, 'I never swam for fame or pressure. I swam because I loved it. And now, as I figure out what comes next, I carry that same passion with me.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.


The South African
7 hours ago
- The South African
Takkies moves on with mystery man after shock divorce
One of Mzansi's most loved couples – Takkies and Chris Dinwiddy – have officially moved on with new partners after their shock divorce. The celebrity choreographer and YouTuber – real name Nkateko Dinwiddy – and her husband, who both live in the UK, tied the knot in 2017. They are parents to two daughters. According to reports, the former couple – known for their wholesome family dance videos – split over infidelity allegations. Although they've never publicly confirmed their divorce, both Takkies and Chris Dinwiddy have revealed that they're now pursuing new love interests. Last week, the popular choreographer and TV personality shared a look at a romantic date she had with a mystery man. The new couple enjoyed a five-star dining experience and a ride in a limousine. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nkateko Dinwiddy (@takkies7) 'Someone pinch me. What a beautiful moment! ❤️', she captured a clip of the experience. In another post, Takkies posted pictures of herself with a telling caption, possibly about moving on from her marriage. 'She remembered who she was and the game changed', she shared. Meanwhile, Takkies's ex, Chris Dinwiddy, also updated his relationship status by going Instagram official with his new girlfriend. In the pic, Chris posed with a woman seated on his lap. He captioned it: 'During life's winding journey, I met an unexpected person in an unexpected place. And so started a new life chapter with a supportive, caring, and beautiful partner at my side'. In the comments section, many followers questioned his silence on his split from Takkies. 'Stop spreading false rumours,' he responded to a user who accused him of being unfaithful. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chris Dinwiddy (@dinnersc) Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.