If one thing is certain, it’s that Shaka iLembe is filled with great queens and great mothers. We know Nandi is going to be a fierce mother, and we have already seen the lengths Ntombazi will go to her for her sons.

These women are central to the story, but they are far from being the only queens or mothers, or even queen mothers. There is also Queen Mthaniya. The mother of Senzangakhona, she is strong, smart, dignified, and strategic. We have already seen this in the calm and steadfast manner with which she handles her temperamental son.

Her husband was the late King Jama, and their union came about thanks to the latter’s sister, Mkabayi, another of this tale’s great women. Now that Mthaniya’s husband has passed Jama’s brother Mudli looks after her – but this woman is more than capable of looking after herself and others. We’re intrigued to see what role she will play in Shaka’s life.

The queen is played by the great Sthandiwe Kgoroge. Fans will recongise her from Generations, in which she played twins Zoleka and Zinz. She’s also part of an acting power couple because her husband, Tony Kgoroge, is an actor as well. They even played a couple on screen, appearing as Walter and Albertina Sisulu in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

Watch this queen in Shaka iLembe on Mzansi Magic. If you missed the latest episode, watch the repeat on Friday 14 July at 21:30.

Make sure you tune in every Sunday night at 20:00 on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) for new episodes or stream live from the DStv App via web or mobile. 

For more interesting info on the series, produced by the acclaimed Bomb Productions, visit the show page here or follow #ShakaiLembeMzansi on social media. Shaka iLembe is headline sponsored by Telkom. Associate sponsors are Grant’s Whisky and LottoStar, while tactical sponsors are Santam and Toyota SA.