Nomzamo Mbatha won the award for Best African Actress.
Shaka Ilembeteam members received a number of awards at the Septimius Prize 2024 awards ceremony earlier this week.
The awards, which will take place at Tuschinski in Amsterdam on 19th and 20th August, recognise international films and projects that emphasise diversity and storytelling.
Renowned actress Nomzamo Mbatha played Shaka Zulu's revered mother in the series, for which she won the award for Best African Actress.
Lemogang Tshipa, who plays the young Shaka, was nominated for Best African Actor for his outstanding performance as Shaka before he became Zulu king.
The series' costume designer, Sheri Mason, won the award for Best Costume Design.
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“I never thought I would win this award” – Sheri Masondo
Masondo, who was in Amsterdam to accept the award, expressed his gratitude for the recognition.
“It was a fantastic feeling to be recognised on an international stage and to be part of a category where other costume designers had done such an incredible job.
“I never expected to win. I'm so grateful to be able to wear authentic traditional costumes and tell stories in our language,” she said.
The acclaimed film stylist and costume designer revealed that in preparation for the series, he spent more than a year researching the 1700s and 1800s, visiting museums in KwaZulu-Natal, consulting historians and gathering inspiration from across the continent.
Her search led her to artisans who still make traditional Zulu clothing, including the mbata, a Zulu breastplate handcrafted from animal hides and worn only by royalty.
“I visited museums in KwaZulu-Natal, looked through archives, met with historians and searched across the continent for inspiration to ensure I could accurately capture what it was like during that period.
“I found a man who still makes costumes for the king. It takes him three months to make a headdress. He carves the feathers he uses and shapes them differently than they are when the bird is in flight. I passed that knowledge on to the artisans for the show,” she said.
“Spiritual experience”
Mason also Shaka Ilembe It was a profound spiritual experience for her.
“It was more than just design. It was like putting myself in my ancestors' shoes and I was amazed at how creative they were with the things around them. No lace ribbons, fabric, sequins or beads, just natural objects from around us.”
“It was a spiritual moment for me. I was lucky to have the support of the people of KwaDebele, KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg. They expressed everything I envisioned and everything I brought back from my studies in the Shaka Ilembe costume.”
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