Shaka Zulu

Season 11986

South Africa, 1823. The Zulu Empire, headed by King Shaka, a brilliant but ruthless military strategist, begin to encroach on the British colony of Cape Town. A volunteer cadre of explorers, mercenaries and professional soldiers are sent to Zululand to try to make contact with Shaka and assess the real threat of his army.

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10 Episodes

E01 Part 1

In 1823, warriors from the Zulu Empire, headed by Shaka, a brilliant but ruthless military strategist, begin to encroach on the outskirts of the British colony of Cape Town, in South Africa. In desperation, Cape Town's governor requests assistance from King George IV of Great Britain to bolster their tenuous position, but the British have no more resources to send. Instead, Lt. Francis Farewell, Dr. Henry Fynn and a volunteer cadre of mercenaries, explorers, and professionals are recruited and sent to Zululand to try to contact Shaka and assess the real threat of his storied army.

October 24, 1986

E02 Part 2

After being shipwrecked off the coast of Zululand, the British are escorted to Shaka's capital, Kwa Bulawayo, where they meet Shaka and his mother Nandi. Shaka then demonstrates his power over his people and proves to Farewell that he is not a man to be underestimated.

October 24, 1986

E03 Part 3

Dr. Fynn chronicles Shaka's life and rise to power starting with the meeting and affair between Nandi and Prince Senzangakona of the Zulu tribe. Despite Senzangakona's marriage to another and Nandi's fathers attempts to marry her off, they continue to meet, and Nandi becomes pregnant. She gives birth to a boy who she names Shaka, meaning “beetle.”

October 31, 1986

E04 Part 4

Nandi's father demands that the Zulu recognize Nandi and the baby Shaka. Senzangakona, now king of the Zulu, takes her as his wife. However, he continually abuses Nandi, until one day Shaka cannot take it anymore and threatens his father to kill him. Nandi and Shaka flee and return to her people, but find themselves the object of scorn, so they flee once again.

November 7, 1986

E05 Part 5

Shaka has grown into a fine young man. Senzangakona invites him to return to Zululand and become his heir. Shaka returns but disrupts a ceremony and is forced to flee for his life. He is taken in by another tribe and trained as a foot soldier. However, he clashes with the generals over how to fight.

November 14, 1986

E06 Part 6

Shaka goes deep into the Nkandla forest and asks a blacksmith to forge a stabbing spear, named “ixwa.” Shaka returns to his regiment and convinces the king that his new method of warfare is worth trying. His new regiment are used against the Zulu and win the day. Soon after, Senzangakona dies and Shaka takes the throne for himself.

November 21, 1986

E07 Part 7

Farewell and his men become Shaka's guests. Shaka is severely wounded during an assassination attempt and Dr. Fynn saves his life. In gratitude, Shaka gives Farewell both land and permission to hunt elephants for ivory. Meanwhile in Cape Town, Shaka and Farewell are both proclaimed dead.

November 26, 1986

E08 Part 8

Farewell and his men establish Port Natal on the coast. However, the men are restless, and they wish to return home, but Shaka forces them to join him in a war against another tribe. He uses them and their cannon to force the enemy into making a first move. This results in an overwhelming victory for the Zulu.

December 5, 1986

E09 Part 9

After burying the dead, Farewell asks for help in building a boat to return to Cape Town. Shaka agrees, but he keeps with him most of the party —including Dr. Fynn— as hostages. On returning to Cape Town, Farewell and a Zulu delegation are despised by Lord Somerset. Shaka learns that his wife has given birth to a son. He orders to kill the child, so he can not threaten Shaka's reign in the future. Nandi falls ill and Shaka begs Dr. Fynn to save her.

December 12, 1986

E10 Part 10

A long-ago foretold prophecy comes to pass when a proposal to negotiate a peaceful alliance between the Zulu Empire and Great Britain fails. Zulu Queen Mother Nandi finally dies, and Shaka, knowing his own fate is sealed, goes into a self-destructive rampage. Farewell returns to Zululand and meets with Shaka, who abandons his reign of terror. Shaka is finally murdered and his empire falls apart.

December 19, 1986

Shaka Zulu

E01 Part 1

E02 Part 2

E03 Part 3

E04 Part 4

E05 Part 5

E06 Part 6

E07 Part 7

E08 Part 8

E09 Part 9

E10 Part 10

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E01 Part 1

E02 Part 2

E03 Part 3

E04 Part 4

E05 Part 5

E06 Part 6

E07 Part 7

E08 Part 8

E09 Part 9

E10 Part 10