MultiChoice and Bomb Productions are proud to announce that production on the epic drama series, Shaka Ilembe, has commenced and is currently filming in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, providing jobs for over 8 000 people.
AFDA alumnus, “Isithembiso” and “The Republic” actor Lemogang Tsipa has scored the titular role in the upcoming drama series “Shaka Ilembe” about the founder of the Zulu nation.
“The River” actor Thembinkosi Mthembu will portray King Dingiswayo with “Isibaya” leading lady Nomzamo Mbatha as Queen Nandi and ”Uzalo” star Wiseman Mncube as King Zwide. Newcomer Nthando Zondi will play younger Shaka, while “Muvhango” and “Isono” actor Senzo Radebe has been cast as Chief Senzangakhona.
“Being able to bring this important story to the screen with such stellar talent speaks to the heart of MultiChoice’s ongoing commitment and investment in our local entertainment industry,” said Yolisa Phahle, CEO of general entertainment & connected video at MultiChoice.
“We are committed to telling great African stories and this is a proudly African series told through the lens of Africans for the very first time,”
“It is a cast with deep talent,” added Angus Gibson, Creative Director at Bomb Productions. “It is magical witnessing these performers bring life to characters we only know from the history books. When the cast arrive on set, fully dressed in wardrobe and hair from the period, I am blown away.”
Lemogang graduated from AFDA Cape Town in the class of 2012 with a BA in Live Performance. In 2013 he was booked in his first international feature film, ‘Alien Outpost’, where he would play an American soldier in this futuristic action film. Shortly after his first shoot he decided to take the risk of perusing his career full time, and by the grace of God he has never had to look back.
Lemogang made his film debut in local film ‘Felix’ (2013) and his local television debut in ‘Forced love’ (2012-2016). His first major international supporting role was in, British thriller, ‘Eye in the sky’ (2015) where he played the role of ‘Matt Laver’ the Mission Intel Coordinator. In the same year he also landed another international supporting role alongside Sir. Kenneth Branagh in ‘Wallander’ (2015) in which he delivered a memorable and touching performance.
His body of work consists of ‘Alien outpost’ (2014), ‘Homeland’ (2014), ‘Traffic’ (2014), ‘The Golden Rule’ (2014), ‘Cape Town’ (2015), ‘The Book of Negroes’ (2015), ‘Lazy Suzan’ (2015), ‘Jamillah and Aladdin’ (2015), ‘Black Sails’ (2016), ‘Jab’ (2016), ‘Roots’ (2016), ‘Oasi’s (2017), ‘Amandla’ (2017), ‘The Number’ (2017) and ‘The Dark Tower’ (2017).
In 2017 Lemogang made his feature film debut lead role in, Craig Friemond’s, ‘Beyond The River’ where he plays Duma, a talented young man who feels trapped by his circumstances and finds himself on the wrong side of the law, he attempts to overcome his obstacles through his journey in the sport of canoeing.
Lemogang recently starred in the BBC/Netflix series, Troy- Fall of City and is currently a lead in a popular television series, ‘Isithembiso’.
