Ntombazana, one of the new characters in the second season of Shaka iLembe, is proud to be an Ndwandwe, but it’s into the Mthethwa clan that she must infiltrate herself, by seducing Dingiswayo. Smart, confident, and self-assured, it is evident that she is daughter to Zwide and granddaughter to Ntombazi. She has her grandmother’s wiles too, but at this young age she’s using them differently.

While she is certainly impressionable, eager to please her father and under her grandmother’s sway, she can also easily impress herself upon others with a mere swing of the hips and a pretty melody.

Introduced in episode 1, we were made aware of her grandmother’s influence upon her – quite literally as we see her standing next to Ntombazi when the Ndwandwe return from their clash with the Thonga, both women looking as smug at the victory as Nomahlanjana and Zwide. These two powerful women are certainly not wilting wallflowers!

Ntombazi has not had it easy, but she’s chosen dark paths and seems set to lead her granddaughter down the same way. But these paths hold power and promise for Ntombazana, especially because she cannot attain the powers her brothers will have simply because they were born men.

“My wish is for the king to accept that I too have talents to offer.”

Ntombazana is portrayed by Amanda Seome, who hails from Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal. This young actress already has several titles under her acting belt – including Side Dish, Lokshin Bioskop, Inkwekhwezi, M'tase Khaya, and How to Ruin Christmas – but she calls Shaka iLembe her “first big break”.

She auditioned for the first season of Shaka iLembe, but fate knew Seome was slated to sink her teeth into the juicy role of Ntombazana – and that’s just what this talented actor has done. Ntombazana may seem like a cunning villain, but with Seome’s skill, we’re sure to see many sides to this intriguing character.

Shaka iLembe season 2 is proudly sponsored by headline partner Telkom, associate partners Knorrox, Diageo, and tactical partners Santam, Amka, Toyota, Spur, and Gordon’s Gin.

Watch the legendary rule of King Shaka unfold in Shaka iLembe season 2, on Sundays at 20:00 on Mzansi Magic, DStv channel 161. There are repeats on Fridays at 21:30 and Saturdays at 20:00. Watch season 1 on Showmax or DStv Catch Up. 

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