SA State Theatre presents Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound musical

The musical began playing at SAST on 8 November and will keep fans entertained until 27 November. Directed by Meshack Magabane, the production returns following an overwhelming public demand after its premiere last year.

The exhilarating musicial 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 Sibongiseni Mkhize that we will develop a new cadre of artists and develop South African musicals,” SAST artistic director Aubrey Sekhabi said. “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.”

The production dominated the 17th Naledi Theatre Awards in May scooping six awards in the 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 Ster-Kinekor Theatres in June this year.

Written by the late revered playwright Bongani Linda, Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound tells the story of the renowned warrior king Shaka Zulu, 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.

Before he could realise his vision, Shaka Zulu was assassinated in a regicide spearheaded by his brothers Dingane and Mhlangana, assisted by his trusted servant Mbopha kaSithayi. Upon his death in September 1828, he is believed to have cursed his assassins by warning them that their rule shall be characterised by 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,” he said. “It is clear then that as a nation we need to seriously deliberate about the painful reality of our complicated past before we can confidently map the way forward into a brighter, peaceful and prosperous future.”

Tickets to the Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound musical can be purchased here.