The six-time Naledi Theatre Award-winning musical Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound directed by Meshack Mavuso Magabane, makes its way back to stage to dazzle audiences at the South African State Theatre (SAST) from 8 to 27 November 2022. Its return follows the overwhelming public demand it garnered from enchanting spectators and critics alike, and playing to full houses which warranted an extension when it premiered last year. The exhilarating production retains its stellar cast led by Thembinkosi Chagwe as Shaka Zulu, Nkanyiso Bhengu, Mduduzi Mabaso and Zodwa Radebe.
“In the last seven years, we agreed with the CEO Dr Sibongiseni Mkhize that we will develop a new cadre of artist and develop South African musicals. Importantly, we agreed to give the musicals enough time to grow and develop thereby providing longer seasons especially if the audiences have an appetite for that work. Shaka Zulu is one such work. The overwhelming support from our audiences and its ability to draw family audiences deserves another season,” said the SAST’s Artistic Director Aubrey Sekhabi.
The production dominated the 17th Naledi Theatre Awards in May when it walked away with six awards from categories Best Choreography, Best Musical Director, Best Costume Design, Best Director of Musical Theatre Production, Best Supporting Performance, and Best Lead performance in a musical. Its triumph prompted a visit to the Durban Playhouse, a month before the musical’s stage-to-screen film screening at Sterkinekor Theatres in June this year.
Written by the late revered playwright Bongani Linda, Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound tells the story of the world-renowned warrior king, uShaka ka Senzangakhona who was a visionary, a diplomat, a military strategist, and a nation-builder who wanted to establish one strong and inclusive nation in Southern Africa. His life and times are captured through the eyes of a praise singer, taking audiences on a journey of historical imagination to the glorious past and leading them back through exhilarating song, praise poetry and energetic Zulu dancing to a proudly and unapologetically Pan-African future.
King Shaka Zulu is considered to have been an eminent shepherd of unity who was determined to establish one mighty African Nation. Before he could realize his vision, he was assassinated in a regicide spearheaded by his brothers Dingane and Mhlangana, assisted by the warrior king’s trusted servant Mbopha ka Sithayi. Upon his death in September 1828, he is believed to have cursed his assassins by warning them that their rule shall be of bloodshed and mayhem.
Magabane believes the curse Shaka Zulu made in the face of betrayal by those he trusted most, continues to haunt the country till this day.“Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound is an emotional plea by present generations to the spirit of Shaka to forgive us and bring an end to bloodshed that has engulfed our daily lives despite the attainment of political emancipation. It is clear then that as a nation we need to seriously deliberate about the painful reality of our complicated past before we could confidently map the way forward into a brighter, peaceful and prosperous future,” said Magabane.
As a director, Magabane, who is renowned for stage and screen acting, has directed the stage play One Square Mile in 2015 and was Assistant Director for Aubrey Sekhabi’s Freedom-The Musical in 2019. Off stage, he is the current director of popular television drama Durban Gen. He also directed the TV Series ‘Bay of Plenty’ in 2007.