South African animated film about King Shaka launches on Netflix
By CityLife Arts Writer
One of Africa’s greatest stories has made it onto global giant streaming service company, Netflix. UShaka Inkosi Yamakhosi a short animation film about the great Zulu king uShaka and his empire is now be available for the global audience as from 3 August 2022.
The mastermind behind the animation film, Manzini Zungu a renowned businessman who serves as Executive Producer and Director, birthed the film to inspire children around the world to delve within themselves and find the hero that lies within – a notion that Manzini himself learnt as a young boy.
“This film tells a story about one of our country’s (South Africa) greatest monarchs, Shaka Zulu. But within the story, there is another underlying story the encourages people, particularly children to realise that within each and everyone of them there is a hero,” explains Manzini.
“Growing up as a young boy, I faced many adversities that could have easily broken me. However, I had to find the resolve to continue and part of doing so was realising that I could become my own hero in life. That takes courage, but its possible,” he adds.
Zungu who has already shared his insights at the 29th New York African Film Festival, credits the success of his film to the zeal of African filmmakers who are motivated to tell African stories as they are.
UShaka Inkosi Yamakhosi encompasses an all-star cast made of South African greats in the acting sphere such as legendary actress Lilian Dube who plays ‘Gogo MaLamula Zulu’. Ayanda Borotho voices Queen Nandi whilst Dawn Thandeka King lends her voice as Mkabayi and Mondli Makhoba is the voice of Shaka Zulu.
UShaka Inkosi Yamakhosi official selections and screenings: • New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) 2021 • Buenos Aires International Film Festival (BEUIFF) • Capri Movie International Film Festival • International World Film Awards • Carmarthen Bay Film Festival • 2020 Dubai Expo (part of top films representing South Africa) • Cape Town International Film Festival • Beeta Arts Festival • Intra Africa Trade Fair (exhibition and screening of the film) UShaka Inkosi Yamakhosi official awards: • Best Animation at Paris Cinema Awards • Best Short Film Animation at Genesis International Film Festival • Best South Africa Short at Durban International Film Festival.