The family of Shaka Zulu physically attacked Nomzamo Mbatha and crew for visiting Nandi’s Grave.

Shaka Zulu’s family drove Nomzamo Mbatha and Shaka Ilembe production crew away when rocked up at Nandi’s gravesite and it got so bad that it eventually became a physical fight. The whole community intervene trying to stop them.

Inkosi Mshazi Nzuza said he is allowed by the Constitution to chase unwanted visitors at the gravesite of Shaka’s mother, Nandi. After much deliberation they allowed them to film. Any visitor in the gravesite must report to the local induna and myself as a chief. But this was not the case. They simply went straight to the gravesite and which they was against their protocol

“I was told by induna Ngelemu Mdlalose that a large group of people, including Nomzamo, had invaded Queen Nandi’s grave. Mdlalose wanted to know if I knew or had authorised their visit. But I was also shocked and disturbed because I had no knowledge of the visit,“

Shaka iLembe is a series co-created and executive produced by Teboho Mahlatsi, Yizo Yizo, also of “Angel’s Song” and “Isibaya”).

Shaka Zulu’s family drove them away and it got so bad that it eventually became a physical fight. The whole community had to intervene, well, after much deliberation they allowed them to film.

Those who had to be consulted believed that they had every right to stop the crew. In fact, the king (Inkosi Mshazi Nzuza) said they have the right to deny anyone visit and that customary law allows them to punish the offence.

“I was told by induna Ngelemu Mdlalose that a large group of people, including Nomzamo, had invaded Queen Nandi’s grave. Mdlalose wanted to know if I knew or had authorised their visit. But I was also shocked and disturbed because I had no knowledge of the visit,” the king said.

“Any guest or visitor in the area must report to the local induna and myself as a chief. But this was not the case. They simply went straight to the gravesite. We still don’t know why,” he added.

Well, we hope the production team will do better next time as this isn’t the first time the series got themselves into trouble. Earlier this month it was reported that the families involved in Shaka Zulu’s reign demand that they are fairly compensated for their contribution.

“We were picked up from our homes and taken to Ballito where we stayed for about three days. During those days, we were filmed and we were narrating every detail about King Shaka and Queen Nandi. We even took them to all the locations where Shaka lived as a teenager.

“We also showed them the river where Nandi bathed every morning and all the places she liked. We know this information because both King Shaka and his mother, Queen Nandi, were from the Mhlongo clan,” said Mhlathuze Mhlongo.