‘I invited Nomzamo and crew’: ‘Shaka ILembe’ producers vindicated

Actress Nomzamo Mbatha — who is one of the producers of the highly-anticipated drama series Shaka iLembe — as well as her crew members, were not in the wrong for visiting Queen Nandi’s gravesite, according to Daily Sun.

ALSO READ: Fight erupts after ‘Shaka iLembe’ crew visits Queen Nandi’s grave

Mbhengi Mhlongo, who is a historian and member of one of the three KwaZulu-Natal families (the Mhlongos, Mthethwas and Mbathas) who are involved in the making of the show, has defended the producers. This is after they were accused of “invading” the sacred gravesite of Queen Nandi.

ALSO READ: Three KZN families threaten to interdict release of ‘Shaka iLembe’

MHLONGO FAMILY MEMEBER DEFENDS ‘SHAKA ILEMBE’ CREW

Last week, the publication reported that a physical fight ensued when the Mhlongo family (specifically induna Ngelemu Mhlongo) tried to prevent the Shaka iLembe crew from shooting.

ALSO READ: Nomzamo Mbatha’s ‘Shaka Ilembe’ series gets Zulu King’s blessing

Although the team was eventually allowed entry, historian and family spokesperson Mhlathuze Mhlongo claimed that he was in charge of Queen Nandi’s gravesite and he had not been informed of the visit.

However, his brother Mbhengi Mhlongo has disputed those claims. He told Daily Sun this week that he was the one who sent out an invitation to the drama series crew members.

ALSO READ: ‘Shaka Ilembe’: Meet the cast of the upcoming drama series

“I am reacting to the news that Nomzamo Mbatha and Shaka iLembe crew invited themselves to Queen Nandi’s grave.

“This is not true. I’m the one who invited the Shaka iLembe crew,” he told the outlet.

The publication also reports that Mbhengi Mhlongo issued an invitation letter that reads as follows:

“Sir/Madam. I, on behalf of Elangeni Royal Princesses and Nkosazane Nandi WaseLangeni Foundation, hereby cordially invite you to the historic commemoration of our Royal Princess Nandi kaMbhengi kaMhlongo, mother of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona.

“The event is scheduled as follows: Date: 9 October 2022. Place: Vuma Community Hall. Time: 10am-13.30pm. Public will be transported by bus from the hall to the grave of Princess Nandi at Matheku and then brought back to the hall.We will highly appreciate your presence.”

ALSO READ: Dawn Thandeka King lands role of Mkabayi in ‘Shaka Ilembe’

‘I CAN GO TO QUEEN NANDI’S GRAVE ANYTIME I WANT TO’

He also added that Queen Nandi’s grave belongs to the Mhlongo family and not an individual or chief (induna).

“I can go to Queen Nandi’s grave anytime I want to and I don’t need permission to visit her grave.. Mhlathuze is my older brother but he cannot dictate to usHe cannot claim to be in charge of the grave,” said Mbhengi Mhlongo.

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But, according to Mhlathuze Mhlongo, he will lock up the gravesite if Mbhengi continues to access it without consulting.

“Mbhengi cannot claim the grave because his father destroyed it. I then took it upon myself to fix it.If he continues to go there I’ll have no option but to lock it up.”

ALSO READ: ‘She can’t act or speak Zulu’: Tweeps on Ntando’s ‘Shaka Ilembe’ role

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CLAIMS

Mhlathuze Mhlongo has also alleged that Angus Gibson and Bomb Productions stole their intellectual property.

According to Sunday World, Mhlongo and Phila Mthethwa are threatening to block the screening of the Shaka iLembe should the producers not pay them their royalties as per their alleged verbal agreement when they were approached to provide history about the Zulu monarchy.

“We regard this as theft of intellectual property, and we will not let them use it anywhere until this issue is resolved. We will interdict them if needs be,” Mthethwa told the publication.

Set in the 1700s, Shaka iLembe tells the story of the making of the iconic African king, Sgidi “Shaka” kaSenzangakhona with iterations from his early childhood through to adulthood.

The star-studded series is headlined by Nomzamo Mbatha, who plays Queen Nandi — the revered mother of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona