On Wednesday, the local creatives were given a front-row seat to world class storytelling at today’s Shaka iLembe Masterclass, hosted by the National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB) in partnership with MultiChoice Botswana. The session, held at Thapong Café & Deli in Gaborone, brought together local filmmakers, cultural custodians and creatives to explore the power of authentic African storytelling.
At the heart of the masterclass was a discussion on the making of Mzansi Magic’s Shaka iLembe, the critically acclaimed epic drama series that first captivated audiences across the continent in 2023, and again in 2025 with its ongoing Season 2 broadcast. The event was headlined by key leadership of Bomb Productions, the production company behind the series, as well as local industry veteran, Johnson Otlaadisa.
“The concept behind this event was born out of the notion that platforms such as these are critical in empowering the next generation of storytellers,” said Thembile Legwaila, MultiChoice Botswana Head of Marketing. “We’re proud to partner with NACB, an entity that has shown intention in creating spaces for creatives to learn, connect and inspire.
For us, Shaka iLembe is more than just a show, but evidence that when we tell our stories with clarity and excellence, they can resonate across the world.” Speaking during the session, Desiree Markgraaff, Executive Producer of Shaka iLembe, emphasized the importance of cultural respect in historical storytelling: “You can’t tell a story like Shaka iLembe without deeply respecting the people, the language, and the legacy. When culture is honoured, the production gains depth, truth and power. That’s what makes it resonate and what changes historical depictions to stories we can all connect with.”
The Shaka iLembe Masterclass provided invaluable insight into research, production design, funding, casting and cultural consultation behind the series, allowing for local creatives to gather first-hand insights on the gravity of authentic African storytelling at an international level.
Further highlighting the significance of preparation in the filmmaking process, Bomb Productions Head of Research, Jacob Ntshangase added “The initial research for Shaka iLembe Season 1 took us six years. Six years of oral consultation, fact finding, and walking hand-in-hand with the descendants of this remarkable story to develop and deliver an honest and authentic depiction of Shaka and the Zulu kingdom. If you want your stories to not only effectively land with your audience but to leave a lasting impact, you must make a commitment to planning and research.”
Today’s event marks another step in building a stronger creative industry in Botswana through collaboration, with a shared vision to elevate local voices and African narratives on a global stage.
