Latest news with #ZamaniMbatha
News24
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Actress Sikhanyiso Sithole talks playing a Swazi princess in Shaka iLembe S2
_______________________________________________________________________ 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.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Africa Magic (@africamagic) 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.'
SowetanLIVE
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- SowetanLIVE
Zamani Mbatha: The warrior
It's a quiet Wednesday afternoon in the Joburg suburb of Killarney, except for the hadedas and cooing doves up in the trees that punctuate my tête-à-tête with actor Zamani Mbatha. Our catch-up session happens exactly nine years since the last time I interviewed him, when he made his TV acting debut on Mzansi Magic telenovela Isithembiso aged 19. He portrayed a 'Jim Comes to Jo'burg' matriculant at a Joburg college. On Sunday, TV viewers will see the now 27-year-old heartthrob in the highlands of Zululand in the second season of the blockbuster, award-winning production Shaka iLembe, where he takes on the character of Nomahlanjana, the son of Zwide (Wiseman Mncube). Mbatha looks the part with his ripped physique, chiselled face, and heaps of charisma. Looking back on his nine years in the industry, a period marked by consistency and professionalism, Mbatha says he has rolled with the punches. 'Just like any other life, you know you make it and then it's trials and tribulations, it's learning and unlearning,' he reflects. 'My journey has been beautiful because I have managed to find myself. I always choose the positive side of everything and that has worked in my favour.' Mbatha's rise to fame has been impressive, paved with career-defining roles and legions of adoring fans. He has also transformed from an actor into a dependable brand. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, he had to pivot into monetising his star power. 'I had to make a plan. I had the numbers, as TikTok had gone viral. I already had some partnerships going but it wasn't solid. I learnt to do things from TikTok that I thought were really cool.' What followed was an offer from a cell-phone giant. Eventually, thanks to his content-creation skills, innovation, and engagement, more brands came knocking.
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Mzansi actors Kwenzo Ngcobo, Siphesihle Ndaba, and Mo Setumo bring the fashion game to Disney+ Quiz Night
Actors Kwenzo Ngcobo and Zamani Mbatha at Disney+'s Quiz Night Challenge. Picture: Supplied/Disney+ Image: Supplied/Disney+ One thing about Disney+'s Quiz Night Challenge is they will bring out the fun side in even the most serious character. In collaboration with Quiz Nights SA, Disney+ hosted a night of fun, hosted by the always-hilarious Mpho Popps. The night featured a star-studded guest list, that included familiar faces like Lasizwe Dambuza, Bheki Ndamase, Zamani Mbatha and Mo Setumo. One is allowed to go for a laid-back look when dressing up for a quiz night, but some effort should be put in, to show that one has stepped out of one's home for an event. Media personality Lasizwe Dambuza with content creators Grace Mondlana and Bheki Ndamase at Disney+'s Quiz Night Challenge. Picture: Supplied/Disney+ Image: Supplied/Disney+ Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading South African content creator, Grace Mondlana dressed up in jeans and a black sweatshirt. The DStv Content Creator Awards Emerging Creator Award winner dressed as though she was headed out for one of her Woolworths stock-up runs for her TikTok videos. The dress code was showstopper Disney-style, Mondlana was not the only one who was dressed for a different event than they attended former 7de Laan actress Nobuhle Mahlasela. Her funky leather jacket was the saving grace to the outfit from the striped t-shirt to the Fendi bucket hat, the look was visually overwhelming Creator Dambuza opted to wear a grey suit forgetting that the quiz night was not a filming of his show 'Awkward Dates'. Actor Mbatha must be traveling with outfits in his car because one minute he had on a cute leather crop jacket next thing some green shirt. Was it the winter chills that made him change? 'Skeem Saam' actor Mahlatse Moropo didn't let the winter chills deter him from slaying in his sheer black shirt. Reality TV star Big Nandz ( Nande Ramncwana) at Disney+'s Quiz Night Challenge. Picture: Supplied/Disney+ Image: Supplied/Disney+ Nande Ramncwana from the reality show 'Bae Beyond Borders' channeled her inner Minnie Mouse but forgot to wear a bra. Now we, not policing anybody, but if you are going to wear a white vest remember people can see things. Besides the fashion, the evening saw fierce but fun competition as guests battled it out to prove who knew it best, putting their Disney+ knowledge to the test across trivia rounds inspired by the platform's incredible range of entertainment. Guests enjoyed an immersive Disney+ experience, complete with branded photo ops, themed décor, delicious food, interactive games, and so much more. IOL Entertainment
