Opinion 

Shaka iLembe is more than just a TV production, it’s ancestral, spiritual and deeply intentional. It’s not just about what’s on screen, but what stirs within us. It pulls us back into ourselves, into memory, identity, and purpose. For me, it’s the most important South African production since Shaka Zulu; not because of scale alone, but because of how it honours where we come from.

At its heart, this is a story of honour. It doesn’t hide from the contradictions or complexities of who we are as Africans. Instead, it reflects us honestly in all our depth and richness. The portrayal of Queen Nandi, especially, resonated with me as a man raised by a single mother. It reminded me that the strength of women isn’t something to romanticise, but to revere. This isn’t about glorifying struggle; it’s about recognising the sacred, unshakable power of African women.

We live in a world that tries to shame men who show emotion or love openly and who are close to their mothers – yet I’m one of those and also know my friends whose sons felt the way I felt when I was their age. But there is no shame in being raised in love. There is no shame in honouring the person who shaped your spirit. Boys become men not when the world says so, but when life calls them to step up, when responsibility arrives and legacy demands something deeper. That moment is what Shaka iLembe illustrates with so much grace (History will say otherwise).

The phrase “Indoda must...” has often been used to shame or limit but in truth, being a man should mean standing up with softness in strength, loving with accountability and serving with humility. Our fathers and forefathers weren’t strong because they were hard; they were strong because they were consistent, present and protective.

Shaka iLembe also reminds me of something we often overlook women shape nations. Whether it’s your mother, sister, aunt or girlfriend…their influence is sacred. A small check-in, a gentle word — these are the quiet forces that guide men through chaos. We often forget that every king was once held by a woman before the war, before the power, before history remembered him.

Then there are the young “terrorists”, as one my friends puts them - always watching every step and sip we take. They are bloody mischievous, yes. But more importantly, they are learning. They form their own identities by watching what we do, what we honour and how we live. What we do today becomes their inheritance tomorrow.

So I offer this plea, out loud and in the open. Let Shaka iLembe do more than entertain — let it teach us, ground us and reconnect us to who we are. Let it restore our reverence for women and children, reignite our commitment to purpose and reconnect us to our spiritual and cultural roots.

We are still here. We have always been here. Our stories will save us if we let them. So let’s not drift. Let’s come home to ourselves, hold hands and walk forward together marching forward - as whole, rooted and proud Africans.

Masingantenga-ntengi maAfrika. 

Since her debut in Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Durban, Minnie Ntuli has become the talk of the town, trending almost every week.

A hauntingly personal tale of love, legacy, and loss, Matabeleland, directed by the talented Nyasha Kadandara, is set to captivate audiences with its African premiere at the prestigious Encounters South African International Documentary Festival.

This feature-length debut delves into Zimbabwe’s tumultuous history, focusing on the 1983 massacre in Matabeleland that claimed over 20,000 lives. Decades later, the unburied spirits of the victims cast long shadows over families, including that of protagonist Chris Nyathi.

In 1983, Zimbabwe witnessed one of its darkest chapters under President Robert Mugabe, as more than 20,000 people were massacred in Matabeleland. Among the victims was the father of Chris Nyathi, a 60-year-old Zimbabwean immigrant in Botswana who is haunted by his father’s unburied spirit. Chris believes his family is cursed, a belief that has strained his ability to provide for his 17 children and compromised his relationship with his girlfriend, Dumi.

Set against a backdrop of political upheaval, Matabeleland chronicles Chris’s journey to secure his father’s burial and break free from the shadow of his family’s painful legacy. With themes of love, masculinity, and resilience woven through its narrative, the film offers a deeply personal lens into Zimbabwe’s complex history and the enduring impacts of generational trauma.

"This film offers a nuanced, deeply personal perspective on a misunderstood region, presenting Zimbabwe beyond the usual focus on politics or the ever-struggling economy. Through Chris’s story, I hope Zimbabweans can confront our history, seeing in his struggles a mirror of our collective trauma and resilience, particularly for those from Matabeleland who have long felt unseen."
– Nyasha Kadandara

Amidst the decades-long tension between the Ndebele and Shona people of Zimbabwe, Matabeleland takes on a unique, deeply personal perspective. Directed by Nyasha Kadandara, a young Shona filmmaker born in Bulawayo, the film captures the complex nuances of identity, belonging, and reconciliation. As someone who straddles both worlds, Kadandara brings a thoughtful, insider’s view to a story rooted in the history of her own dual origins. Her storytelling lens bridges the divide, guiding audiences through a journey of understanding and healing.

Matabeleland is a powerful product of Pan-African storytelling, with Nyasha Kadandara directing under the banner of LBx Africa, a production company celebrated for award-winning documentaries like Softie (Sundance 2020), No Simple Way Home (Berlinale 2022), and Free Money (TIFF 2022). The collaboration between Zimbabwe and Kenya underscores the film’s unique ability to explore universal themes while remaining deeply rooted in regional identity.

With its african premiere now behind us, Matabeleland is officially out in the world, a film that challenges audiences to rethink Zimbabwe’s history beyond stereotypes. The premiere is just the beginning of the film’s journey, as it continues to spark vital conversations about identity, justice, and reconciliation.

Encounters South African International Documentary Festival Screenings & Q&As

·        Cape Town:

o   Ster-Kinekor V&A: Sat, 21 June, 3:30 PM

o   Bertha iSiv: Sun, 22 June, 4:00 PM

·        Johannesburg:

o   The Zone @ Rosebank: Sat, 28 June, 5:30 PM

Taylor Sheridan’s Texas oil field drama Landman comes to M-Net from Monday, 2 June at 9pm for 10 episodes, featuring a cast as explosive as the world it’s set in: Billy-Bob Thornton; Demi Moore; Jon Hamm and Ali Larter.