23-06-2025
Actress Sikhanyiso Sithole talks playing a Swazi princess in Shaka iLembe S2
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She embodies the radiance of the Swati princess not only in name but also on the small screen.
Sikhanyiso Sithole's first television role is on the second season of Shaka iLembe, portraying the jewel of the Swazi kingdom, the Ngwane princess Hletjiwe.
The 25-year-old Eswatini-born actor carries the same name as the real-life current princess of the country, Sikhanyiso Dlamini, almost making her destined for the role of Hletjiwe.
'I love my name. It's funny because sometimes they will call me princess when I tell them that I'm Sikhanyiso,' she shares with TRUELOVE.
'So, the fact that I'm playing a princess role now, a Swazi princess, it's amazing. I feel like her.'
Hletjiwe is the sister of Somhlolo, the Ngwane king. She is very gentle and demure and finds herself married to the Ndwandwe prince Nomahlanjana (played by Zamani Mbatha) as part of a political alliance, but it's not the prince she's fallen in love with.
Despite her desire to be dutiful, Hletjiwe finds herself entangled in a complicated web of loyalty and love.
A culture experienced through the ages
In a milestone celebration of Swati heritage, viewers have just been introduced to Ngwane royal line in Shaka iLembe along with the amaMpondo tribe, showcasing just how intertwined Africa's history is.
Sikhanyo takes us through just how similar the Swati culture is to the 200-year-old traditions we see in Shaka iLembe Season 2.
'There's a scene where we are dancing umhlanga (reed dance ceremony) and that still happens, they still practice, everything. It's still there, so it wasn't hard for me to do that because I'm used to dancing umhlanga.'
The Swazi Prince Sicelo Dlamini, who served as cultural advisor to the production, ensured authenticity at every step.
'All Swati roles were cast in Eswatini,' he shared in a statement.
'We're proud to showcase incredible talent — Setsabile Masina Sithole as Queen Lojiba, Sikhanyiso Sithole as Princess Hletjiwe and Ayanda Ginindza as Ingwenyama Somhlolo. We also welcome Thobejane Magagula as Prince Ngemu and Alex Fakudze as Umnganiwemakhosi.'
A role of a lifetime
Sikhanyiso's dream has always been to bring to life thought-provoking characters on the big and small screen, having studied creative multimedia at university in Eswatini and landing Shaka iLembe as her first-ever role.
When it comes to acting, she says, 'It's been my passion since high school days. And, unfortunately, I never got exposed to getting trained or drama at school, there wasn't much of that. It's always me and the mirror and looking at myself in the mirror and telling myself that, 'you know what? One day this is going to come to light'.
'Even my family, they weren't aware. They were shocked when I told them, 'Hey guys, I've been cast for Shaka iLembe ', and they were like, 'What? When did you start acting?' They didn't know. It's been always me and the mirror, they didn't know.'
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Embodying the aura of a princess
The addition of Swati storylines builds on the legacy of Shaka iLembe 's first season, which followed Shaka's transformation into a warrior king. In season two, Shaka and Queen Nandi arrive at KwaNobamba, where the young leader steps into power.
Sikhanyiso fully embraces the aura of the graceful princess Hletjiwe while embroiled in the high-stakes world of clashing kingdoms.
She dives into what she drew from to bring to life Hletjiwe's regal aura.
'I think a princess has a way of carrying herself, behaviour. I can say I do have a glimpse of how a princess should carry themselves when seeing them doing it, breathing it. So, I can say it helped to see that, to have that exposure. It helped me to give my character the best.'
