From now on,
you are a Zulu.
[Shaka] And you shall act as my interpreter.
[Henry] Put her down, will you!
Fynn, what the devil do you think you are doing?
She's alive I saw her moving
Now, will you tell them to put her down!
Put her down!
If what they say is true,
then their isangoma possesses powers we cannot ignore.
I want those powers at my service.
[Vegte] "Here, life belongs to Shaka."
[Vegte] "Her life belongs to Shaka
[fanfare]
J‘ Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom
J“ Ayete, gossy...
J‘ Ayete, gossy... J‘
I We are growing higher
J‘ Growing higher I
[narrator]Having survived the horrendous ordeal
of the Gift Ceremony,
we began to settle into the daily life
of Kwa Bulawa wayo.
which I must say was not at all an unpleasant experience
if one could turn a blind eye
to the often terrifying events
surrounding the life of the royal court.
We, however, contrary to our fears
were treated with the greatest courtesy.
We had miscalculated the man '5 intelligence.
It was clear that he knew enough
about the Cape Canie than Whites
to make him suspicious of our motives.
From the start he adopted a conciliatory attitude,
while at the same time
making us fully aware of his ability
to destroy us and possibly
the Cape Colony, if he so desired.
[chanting]
Every day we witnessed extravagant ceremonies
performed with the kind of military precision
the likes of which would be the envy
of the British War Ofﬁce.
It was perfectly obvious that Shaka knew the value
of carefully planned dramatic events.
His citadel, ominously named Kwa Bulawayo,
the ”Place of the Killing ",
was the centre of all important events.
Every morning, the people were summoned in the thousands
to attend court proceedings.
[crowds chanting]
Carefully guarded by his Ufa Simba regiment,
his feared personal bodyguard,
he underwent a ritual morning anointing.
His body being greased down with a mixture of red ochre
and sheep's tail fat.
While outside in the royal area,
in front of the King's huge hut,
the people were assembled.
He then appeared
preceded by half a dozen or so praise singers
all recounting the heroic deeds of the king
from boyhood till the present.
[man shouting Shaka's praises]
The people in one voice would echo the praise-singers
shouting and crashing their shields.
This terrifying and indeed, awe-inspiring spectacle
being sustained entirely at the king's pleasure.
Should anyone tire before the king's signal to cease,
they'd be slaughtered at a whim by the Ufasimba regiment.
We noticed that the people
remained untiring in their admiration.
[chanting continues]
At the king's signal the daily court was constituted
and in front of all present,
the law according to Shaka would be dispensed.
He was the ultimate call to the pew,
the sole source of law
and like a Solomon, settled important disputes arbitrarily.
[chanting and dancing]
The most important member of the Council
was Ngomane, his Prime Minister
whom he frequently did consult and appeared to respect.
It was however, the military side,
which, as we had already seen during the trek to the capital,
was most impressive.
Regiment upon regiment of highly disciplined warriors
trained in the apparently unique
"Shaka battle method. "
His generals, drawn from those early days
when he was training his men himself
were his most trusted friends
and were the only people in his domain
to whom he really gave a full ear.
And indeed they were the ones
trusted with the expansion of the empire’s borders.
In these ranks, Shaka could not afford any form of treachery
which brings me to Dingane,
the king ’5 half-brother,
a man who few in Kwa Bulawayo trusted.
We share the same blood, Ufoyi.
Few men know you as well as I.
[narrator]Dingane had managed to survive only because
the king was using him to lead him ultimately
to the most dangerous traitors in his midst.
Indeed, unbeknown to us,
Dingane was planning with Shaka’s enemies.
One of them, the most powerful
and dangerous of them all, Zwide.
These so-called Zwalos have almost reached Kwa Bulawayo.
That is the time to strike.
Let the people think that his death was caused
by the curse of these white men.
But Shaka's network of bodyguards
is impenetrable and incorruptible.
Nothing is impenetrable and incorruptible.
See to it.
[chanting]
[narrator]So it was that day by day we were to be drawn
deeper and deeper into the intrigue
surrounding the king.
Francis was determined to play the game in any way he could.
And as long as it was advantageous to our venture.
He almost recklessly indulged the king ’5 belief
in our supernatural powers
our position became more precarious.
And what was more important was that it would become
from the complicated situation we were getting ourselves into.
Steadfast/y, I disciplined myself into setting down
the events and intrigue taking place around us.
Indeed it was a world so far removed from our experience
that not even the most imaginative storyteller
would have envisaged
what the court of King Shaka was like.
As we peruse the situation,
began to emerge as important forces of Kwa Bulawayo.
Nearly always present at important ceremonies was Nandi,
the King's mother, Mkabayi, the King's aunt
and Setayi, the grotesquely old and frail chief witch doctor
of the realm.
I suppose the best way to describe her was that
she constituted the spiritual arm of his court
like the Archbishop of Canterbury, I suppose,
although I'm not sure he would appreciate the comparison.
She wielded enormous power
and no one was able to tell us exactly how old she was.
Fantastic ﬁgures of hundreds of years were bound to develop
while her supernatural powers were exalted by all I spoke to.
But it was Nandi who was to emerge
as the most powerful force in a story which,
as I began to piece it together
became increasingly difﬁcult to believe.
Tales of supernatural forces,
great prophesies and magical witchcraft
surrounding a king's power and the making of his spear
almost an Excalibur, as it were.
But such was the conviction of the people
who told me these fantastic events
that I felt obliged to at least set them down
and let my readers decide for themselves
what was truth and what was fantasy.
It all started as far as I could logically work out
somewhere in the mid 1780's.
Zulu's were a small and insigniﬁcant tribe.
The king's son, the young, arrogant and reckless
Prince Senzagakona, out hunting one day,
was to set in motion a chain of events
that would change the course of Zulu history.
[singing in foreign language]
Shh!
[speaking foreign language]
This is becoming very risky now, isn't it?
The risk is half of the fun of it.
Anyway, I'll tire of the law before my father finds out.
[people singing in foreign language]
Nandi, look, it's Prince Senzangakhona.
-I know. -Now is your chance to meet him.
I know. Go now. Take them with you.
Now Homa, go.
[speaking foreign language]
[soft instrumental music]
[shouts]
[continues exclaiming]
NandH
[exclaims loudly and laughs]
I've watched you from the bushes.
Your eyes told me you love me.
How can I love a man I do not know?
Because I'm a king's son
and I cast a powerful shadow
wherever I go and you found that shadow pass over you.
Shadow? I felt no shadow.
And my eyes lied to you.
A king's son cannot be lied to.
A king's son?
I'm not for the taking.
You play games with my feelings.
Let us at least enjoy our time.
IfI made love to you, it must be much more. More than fun.
So be it.
What if someone sees us?
No one will.
Except the birds.
-Do my eyes lie to you now? -No.
They show only the truth.
[ominous music playing]
[boy urging cattle along]
[cows mooing]
[whistling and indistinct chatter]
[talking in foreign language]
NandL
[chuckling]
How was it?
[speaking foreign language]
Hey Nandi. We've been waiting for you.
[chuckling]
I've got good news. Gendeyana has honoured our family
by asking to marry you.
And we have agreed.
There'll be bride-prize of ten cattle.
Which we find most generous.
And being that you'll be his first wife,
we have decided that no matter how many others
he may marry in future,
you will remain his principal wife.
And the first son you will bear will be considered
principal heir to his father's inheritance.
Upon your return
from the wedding of your mother's relative,
to the House of Zulu
we will officially announce your betrothal to Gendeyana.
-[chuckles] -What's the matter?
Ten cattle, Gendeyana.
That is most generous.
And what do you expect from me? Love?
-Nandi! -Mother, no.
This is not what I want.
My apologies, Gendeyana. She'll do as she's told.
[wind instrument playing softly]
NandL
I'm sorry, father.
So am I, Nandi.
I suppose no man has the right to father a wild cat.
Unless he has the wisdom to tame it.
Nandi, Gendeyana is a good man.
He has the patience to tolerate your temper.
Because he loves you truly.
-What more could you ask for? -Much more.
Much more, father.
[ululating]
[cheering and bowing]
[stomping and chanting]
[speaking foreign language]
I want it ready for the celebration.
Fine looking animal.
Have you seen my bride-to-be?
Seen her? I chose her.
[ordering young woman in native language]
And what is she like?
Senzagakona, dear brother.
Need I remind you that the only reason
you are the heir to the Zulu throne and not me
is because of what is between your legs.
Is it asking too much if you occasionally
used it for the betterment of our kingdom?
Fat is what she's like.
[narrator]And so on the chosen tribes from distant territories
converged on the Zulu kingdom to witness the marriage
of Senzagakona to his ﬁrst wife.
It was an event of some importance to the Zulus.
They were not a particularly strong people
and needed to form alliances with more powerful tribes
with whom they could unite in times of war.
[announcer] King Gwanto of the Gwabis.
[people singing in foreign language ]
King Maketab of Elange.
[responds in foreign language]
King Sotub of the Zusas.
[responds in foreign language]
[women ululating and singing]
Zulu! Zulu!
[announcer] His Majesty, King Jama, of the Zulus
welcomes you and your families to the house of Zulu.
May the festivities today bind our clans in peace.
[speaking foreign language]
I welcome you to the House of Zulu, Domozan.
Take care of us and we will take care of you.
[speaking foreign language]
[announcer speaking in foreign language]
[exclaims in foreign language]
[ordering]
[speaking foreign language]
[chanting in loud voice]
[chanting loudly]
Zulu! Zulu!
[speaking in foreign language]
[King speaking in foreign language]
All the ancestors of the AmaZulu,
please accept this new bride
as another child in your home.
Grant her happiness
and many strong sons.
Let there be noise.
Let there be laughter.
Sacrifice the bull.
[stomping and charging towards the bull]
[shouting in foreign language]
When will that boy learn to behave like a prince?
[people whistling and ululating]
[wind instrument playing softly]
[speaking in foreign language]
Yes, take this.
Why didn't you tell me Nandi will be here?
I didn't know, Dabeset, but be careful.
She can cause trouble.
What trouble can she cause?
I don't know, Dabeset. What if your father finds out?
[speaks in foreign language]
[stomping and ululating]
[shouts]
[chants in foreign language]
[speaking foreign language]
You used me as a plaything.
-My little Elani. -Stop it!
Marry me, Prince. Make me one of your wives.
Where is my drink?
Get it yourself.
No, no, no! Put me down!
-Leave me alone! -[Nandi sobbing]
No, no! Put me down!
You'll make matters worse.
We have started this together and we'll finish it together.
[ordering]
[people singing]
[King Jama] Why have you met with her since your wedding?
Senzangakhona, my son.
Your spies are my spies.
Now answer me.
Have the members of the Council met to discuss a woman?
Answer me!
What of it?
Does that mean that you intend to see her again?
-Perhaps. -Perhaps.
And how will you define her behaviour at your wedding?
Fiery.
Well, suppose you were King Kondo of Epales?
[speaks in foreign language]
What opinion would you have had of her?
[coughing]
That she is beautiful.
And disobedient. Dangerous!
Would you have felt being
That she had insulted you. Humiliated you!
Your pride should have prevented you
from ever wanting to see her again.
There is already talk that she has bewitched you!
[coughing]
By right, she should have been executed for her act
of effrontery to a prince of the AmaZulu.
So you will erase that woman from your mind.
That is not a request.
It is an order.
[shouting]
Go on, kill him!
If it will make you feel any better, go on, kill him.
Leave him!
[narrator]The prophesy was about to begin
its determined path.
Setayi wielded all the power at her disposal to bring about
a series of events which would ultimately fulﬁl the terms
of that prophesy.
[cow mooing]
[people talking]
[fire crackling]
Oh, help me.
[speaking foreign language]
[moaning in pain]
[bass drum reverberating]
[narrator]Meanwhile, in the Zulu Kingdom.
Senzangakhona's ﬁrst wife was also feeling the effects
of her pregnancy.
But all was not well.
It appears that forces were working against her.
[chanting]
Have you hurt this bad?
Yes, baba. it will be a boy, if it lives.
He must live.
It will be difficult, baba.
The life voice for both of you to survive.
What are you saying, old woman?
When the time comes, you might have to choose.
There is no choice.
He must live. See to it.
[chanting]
[Nandi's mother] Don't you worry, my child.
Your father will go to King Makedama
and Ngazana for advice
and demand justice.
[narrator]And so it was that a messenger was sent
by Nandi’s parents demanding that Prince Senzangakhona
should acknowledge his responsibility
towards their daughter.
[speaks in foreign language]
[King Jama] Come closer, my son.
[speaking foreign language]
Have you disobeyed my orders?
No, baba, it is as you said.
The woman's dangerous.
She will resort to anything.
Even deceit for the sake of her ambition.
[speaking foreign language]
Send the messenger back.
He shall announce that
the son of Jama
remembers no one by the name of Nandi,
daughter of Bhebhe,
if she says she is pregnant.
or the Ishaka,
the disease of the beetle.
[speaking foreign language]
Senzangakhona, my son,
you send me to our ancestors
with a lie.
Leave me.
[narrator] Everywhere, forces were beginning
to change the course of Zulu history.
The king was dying
and Nandi's child could be born of royal parentage
if Senzangakhona became King after his father.
Meanwhile, Nandi had been summoned
to a mysterious meeting in the forest.
She thought it was to meet her Prince.
But she did not know
[Nandi]Senzangakhona.
[birds chirping]
Senzangakhona.
[speaking foreign language]
Yes, baba.
Will she go?
Yes.
She'll want to know what the prince has to say to her
that is so private
-and so urgent. -[both laugh]
Yes, of course.
-Watch over him. -Yeah.
Protect him from those who surround him.
He will need you...
as I have needed you.
I shall, Jama.
[speaking foreign language] I swear I shall.
[struggling to breathe]
[owl hooting]
Senzangakhona.
Senzangakhona, stop this.
[Nandi struggling and screaming]
[attacker screaming in agony]
[Setayi] Daughter of Bhebhe.
From your womb shall come the firstborn of a king
giving birth to a mighty nation
of blood-stained spears
and thundering like shells.
[people singing funeral song in foreign language]
[neck snapping]
[chanting]
[soldiers stomping to drill beats]
[commander addressing the troops in foreign language]
Behold the everlasting spear from generation to generation.
[speaking in foreign language]
Behold him, he of the clan, who is your King today.
Zulu!
[crowd cheers]
Zulu!
[thunder crashing]
Mkozi. Mkozi. Mkozi.
What is it?
-Baba -Speak!
Your wife, baba. She has given birth.
Go on! Out! out! Go on!
Is it a boy?
The midwife said it is quite common.
-It often happens that- -Answer me, woman!
-Is it a boy? -Yes.
-What is it? -Baba.
No! No!
[screaming in agony]
[Nandi's mother] I'll call for help.
Here, pass this around her feet.
Have you got the rope?
[assistant] I've got the rope.
Pull! Pull hard!
-Mother! -Shh! All is well.
We'll get this beetle out as soon as it's ready.
Out! Go away. You know you're not allowed here
when the mother is in pain. Go outside.
Take the rope.
All is well. Hold it.
Please, pat her down. Pat her down.
Right, now! Push, push!
It's killing me, mother! It's killing me!
The more you and your child suffer,
the greater your life will be. Now push!
-It's fighting me, mother! -No, it's not!
Just once more. Push!
Push!
Head. The head's here. Push!
[Nandi crying in terrible pain]
It's a boy, Nandi! It's a boy. It's a boy!
[baby crying]
So this is the beetle. This is Shaka.
[thunder rumbling]
It's a fine beetle, my child.
The son of a chief!
[breathing in heavy gasps]
He's much more, mother.
Much more.
[narrator]History had cast its die.
And in Africa, a force had been generated
that in time, would rock the very foundations
of the African subcontinent.
J‘ Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom
J‘ A yete, gossy
I Be a man of greatness now A man so tall, a man so kind
J“ Be a man of wisdom now. A man of mind, a man of blind
J“ Be a man of kindness now. A man so big and strong in mind
J“ Be a man so humble now. A man of man, now let it shine
J‘ This is what you are. This is how it was planned now
J‘ This is what to be Every kind of man now
J‘ This is what to say With the kind of meaning
J‘ This is what to feel With the kind of feeling
I We are growing, growing higher and higher
J“ Hear the children, hear the children
I They are talking to you
I Hear the wind blow, Hear the wind blow
I It is calling for you
J“ See the grass grow, See the grass grow
I It whispers his name
I See the ﬁre blow, See the ﬁre blow
J‘ His heart's in the flame
J‘ A yete, gossy
J‘ Boom, boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom J“