logo
VIDEO: Musician and actor Sjava on the accuracy of ‘Shaka ilembe'

VIDEO: Musician and actor Sjava on the accuracy of ‘Shaka ilembe'

The Citizen08-05-2025
'Honestly speaking, people will always have complaints because everyone has opinions about how the story should have been told.'
Season 2 of the hit series Shaka ilembe is set to premiere on Sunday, 15 June, at 8pm on Mzansi Magic.
We had an opportunity to chat to musician and actor Jabulani Hadebe, also known as Sjava, who played a role in season one of the show as King Dingiswayo.
King Dingiswayo is an important historical figure who was the leader of the Mthethwa Paramountcy and played a crucial role in the early life of Shaka Zulu.
'People don't understand that just because we played roles on 'Shaka' means we know everything about his story,' said Sjava.
'Honestly speaking, people will always have complaints because everyone has opinions about how the story should have been told.
'That's why so many shows based on his story exist. You can even make your own if you want, depending on how you think the story went,' Sjava said.
ALSO READ: VIDEO: Celebrities share thoughts on what made the Metro FM Music Awards stand out
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Casting on 'Youngins': Behind the scenes with Keneilwe Matidze
Casting on 'Youngins': Behind the scenes with Keneilwe Matidze

The South African

time3 days ago

  • The South African

Casting on 'Youngins': Behind the scenes with Keneilwe Matidze

Showmax dropped the trailer for the much-anticipated Season 3 of the hit teen drama Youngins. The series has already set the record for the most first-day views on the African streaming platform since its relaunch. Youngins has been a joyful revelation in South African entertainment. It introduces fresh talent and opens doors for young stars like Ayakha Ntunja and Kealeboga Masango. They have both since found success in popular Mzansi Magic telenovelas Inimba and Genesis, according to Showmax Stories. The final season will begin streaming on Showmax from 19 September. To mark this exciting milestone, Keneilwe Matidze, the dynamic actress and casting director behind the show's vibrant cast, shared some insights. Keneilwe also plays Pearl, the lively Life Orientation teacher. Did she expect that Youngins would become such a success? 'Honestly, yes!' Keneilwe said. 'The energy during auditions was electric. Kids showed up from 8 am to 8 pm, and even after long hours, we were all dancing together outside. That vibe was infectious. I thought, 'If I were watching, I'd be hooked!' The talent was off the charts, and the story promised something special.' One standout fan favourite on ' Youngins ' is Tumelo, played by Lebogang Lephotsoana. Keneilwe described Lebo as a 'triple threat who could act, sing, and dance.' She said, 'Lebo was always full of life and positivity. Tumelo is the glue in the friendship group, and Lebo fits that role naturally. He's collaborative and contagious with his energy. He even helped me keep up with TikTok slang and dance moves!' Another cast member making waves on 'Youngins' is Thabiso Ramotshela, who plays Mahlatse. He brought great emotional depth, especially in Season 2. Keneilwe praised his dedication: 'Thabiso dug deep to connect viewers with Mahlatse's raw, emotional story. He pushed himself so hard that I worried about him at times, but his commitment made the character's journey authentic and relatable.' The show's supporting cast also shines. Tshepo Matlala, who plays Tshepo, brings humour and heart. According to Keneilwe, 'Tshepo uses his whole body to perform and taught me so much. We rehearsed off-set and found ways to elevate scenes beyond the script. He's always surprising me with fresh energy.' Youngins is also celebrated for its authentic queer representation. Keneilwe explained, 'We worked hard on chemistry tests for Tabile Tau (Sefako) and Lebogang (Tumelo). Intimacy on screen is tough regardless of sexuality, but these two were open, comfortable, and committed to telling the story honestly. Their friendship and professionalism carried the scenes.' The cast's chemistry extends off-screen, too. Keneilwe shared a touching story about Katlego Moloke, who plays Alex and came out during his audition. 'He said, 'Yeah, but Tumelo is gay, and I'm gay.' That humbled me and showed how much South Africa has changed,' she said. 'Katlego shaped the Alex character in ways I hadn't imagined.' Showmax viewers can catch the final season's thrilling conclusion from 19 September, with three new episodes dropping weekly. Meanwhile, Seasons 1 and 2 remain available to rewatch on Showmax, and Season 1 airs on Mzansi Wethu, DStv Channel 163, every Wednesday to Friday at 19:00. 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.

Concerts where you can celebrate Women's Day today around Joburg
Concerts where you can celebrate Women's Day today around Joburg

The Citizen

time3 days ago

  • The Citizen

Concerts where you can celebrate Women's Day today around Joburg

Women's Day is being celebrated throughout Joburg today, despite the slight disappointment of the holiday being on a Saturday. Many might have been disappointed that Women's Day fell on a Saturday, leaving them without the perks of a public holiday. However, despite that slight letdown, Women's Day is still being celebrated throughout the country today and for the rest of August. Below are a handful of shows happening celebrating women through music today around Joburg. ALSO READ: Black Labone's Earth Day celebrations underway despite severe thunderstorm alert in Tshwane Shekhinah's Rose Fest Singer-songwriter Shekhinah released her album, Less Troubl, on Friday, a day before her annual Rose Fest concert. The line up of the festival features an array of singers that include Zoë Modiga, Lia Butter, Pabi Cooper and Shekhinah herself. The day-long event takes place at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. ALSO READ: WATCH: Makhadzi takes it back to where it all began 15 years ago ahead of December One Woman Show Zee Nation Fest Similar to Shekhinah, DJ Zinhle also owns a festival and Zee Nation is being hosted at the Nasrec Expo Centre. Unlike the Rose Fest, the Zee Nation lineup isn't exclusively made up of female performers like Kamo Mphela and Busiswa. It also includes male artists like Sjava and Oskido with Somizi Mhlongo as co-host alongside Nomuzi Mabena. Such is the demand for the show that tickets have already sold out. Other performers at Zee Nation include Lerato Kganyago, Pearl Thusi and Nomfundo Moh. ALSO READ: WATCH: Anthony Hamilton promises to 'tear his shoes up' for Mzansi Women's Day concert Mzansi Women's Day concert Grammy award winner Anthony Hamilton and fellow US singer Joe Thomas headline the Women's Day concert at Wanderers Stadium alongside his fellow countryman Joe Thomas and Mzansi's Sjava, Zonke and Vusi Nova. Speaking at the event's press conference this past week, Hamilton expressed his excitement. He is thrilled to be performing for a South African audience once again. 'I did my research. I know what Mzansi wants to hear,' the American crooner said with a smile. He hinted at a carefully curated setlist designed with his largely female fanbase in mind. ALSO READ: 'Our music is immortal': Trompies on lighting up the stage at Imbawula festival, new music and more SN Project In a more intimate setting, the SN Project is singer-songwriter Siphephelo Ndlovu's performance of his latest project Pantomime at Artistry in Sandton this evening. In 2020, he released his debut album, Afrikanization. However, SN hasn't released another body of work until now, except for Pantomime Vol 1 in May. Ndlovu, who is the son of famed Muvhango creator Duma Ndlovu, hosted a similar live show at Untitled Basement earlier this year. NOW READ: Siphephelo Ndlovu on his hiatus from music, getting into the family business of TV, as he returns to stage

Amanda Black, Yaya Mavundla, Rosie Motene and more talk Women's Day
Amanda Black, Yaya Mavundla, Rosie Motene and more talk Women's Day

TimesLIVE

time4 days ago

  • TimesLIVE

Amanda Black, Yaya Mavundla, Rosie Motene and more talk Women's Day

In light of Women's Month celebrating the strides made by South African women, August 9 has become the most important day to honour these achievements and acknowledge the progress. TimesLIVE Premium tasked five women in various fields to discuss the progress made and whether Women's Day is still a calendar date worth celebrating. For singer and songwriter Amanda Black, the day is no longer celebrated because it is on the calendar. 'Women are the source of life, nurturing and creativity. The womb is a sacred space where our imagination first sparks and where healing takes place. By embracing and celebrating women's lives, we can overcome the negativity that roams among us, including jealousy and hatred, and instead foster a culture of love and support,' she said. She said women need to be celebrated every day, as one month is not enough to dedicate to the strides they have made. The same sentiment is held by Rosie Motene, a pan-Africanist queer writer, activist and life coach, who is a survivor of multiple forms of abuse that she experienced in the media space. She said an important facet of healing from the tribulations of womanhood comes from understanding each violation has its weight, its own timeline and a unique pathway to healing. 'When I resigned from a production [ Zabalaza ] in 2015, I felt that the channel [Mzansi Magic] should be commended for how they handled the situation. They did not try to silence me. Instead, they gave me a platform to tell my truth after both the producer and my then-agent lied about the circumstances — the channel's decision was to respect my voice, rather than cover up the truth. This was a rare and powerful example of accountability in an industry that too often protects perpetrators and punishes whistle-blowers,' she said Motene said it is also important for the media to stop lumping together all people who speak out; not everyone is ready to be called a 'survivor', and not everyone who shares their truth identifies as a victim. She said more women need to stop 'carrying a badge of resilience' as though it is a prize. For Motene, resilience has been weaponised against them and used to justify women's continued suffering. For Motene, a revolution lies in demanding healing. 'Women deserve to rest, to laugh without guilt, to cry without apology and to live without constantly having to prove their worth or justify their pain.' Yaya Mavundla, who is a multi-award-winning activist, described her struggles as a transgender woman in South Africa. Having faced rejection and transphobia, she feels society does not allow transgender people to exist freely, even though they face similar issues. Mavundla said ignorance towards transgender women in South Africa, especially on Women's Day, is still an issue, and it needs those who have a voice and the media to have conversations so society understands that transgender women belong. 'Transgender women are women, they are not men or the other. Therefore, trans women have the right to celebrate Women's Day.' While the march to the Union Buildings in 1956 saw women of different races unite against the oppressive dompas, protest culture has since morphed and has created an apathy around its efficacy in the modern context. For Palesa Musa, an activist who was detained at age 12 for her involvement in the 1976 Soweto uprising, protests are still a valid way to fight oppressive systems, and it's important to continue the same tactics such as closing down shops to ensure women's voices will be heard. 'Women must speak up and take to the streets. We fought for democracy, and we were heard. Yes, police were fighting us, and yes, it wasn't easy, but we tried. Young people must stay in school, study hard because education is key,' she said

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store