An academic, Hlonipha Mokoena, who was part of consultations during the production of Shaka iLembe, has set the record straight on the cast's wardrobe after their topless appearances caused a stir when its first episode aired on Sunday evening.
In the episode, Nomzamo Mbatha and her female co-stars appear in traditional maiden Zulu attire, which consists of only a short skirt. The actors, particularly Mbatha, have been sexualised due to the exposure of their breasts.
"It was to be expected that on seeing the first episode of Shaka iLembe, some viewers would feel discomfort at the style of clothing that we have used to represent Zulu/Nguni culture," the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research associate professor told News24. "Even here, two issues are being confused: culture and the making of the film."
"From our initial discussions about the series, after extensive consultation with the lead cast, we made a policy decision that whilst we wanted to be authentic in representing the period, no actor would be forced to reveal their body if it made them feel uncomfortable or exploited."
Shaka iLembe, filmed in isiZulu, is set in the 1700s and tells the origin story of iconic Zulu king, Shaka and the events that shaped his life. It is a fictional interpretation of historical events, and producers said they ensured Nguni culture is respected and portrayed authentically.
"The decision was also that no actor or actress would be denied a part in Shaka iLembe if they decided that they didn't want to show their body. We followed that policy in the making of the series," Mokoena said, adding that the cast felt that the authentic representation of their characters' attire was important.
The accusation that Shaka iLembe objectifies women is, however, not about policy; it is about culture. Historically and culturally, none of the actors and actresses are nude – they are wearing the attire that reflects the culture we are portraying on screen.
Mokoena added another incorrect assumption was that it was only women who were publicly displayed in the Zulu culture.
"This is culturally incorrect," she said. "In the Nguni past, both men and women took pride in their bodies – they dressed, oiled, bejewelled, tattooed and decorated their bodies according to what was fashionable and appropriate for their age group and social status."
She said even then, fashion changed "all the time", adding that "at some point", young men wore traditional leather kilts, known as amabheshu, slung low to reveal a part of their buttocks as part of the practice of ukutebhisa. The practice was scandalised by their elders.
"What this means is that even in the past, men could also do things with their bodies that cause public scandal; it wasn't just women," Mokoena said. "Two conclusions can be drawn from this – it means that when young men today wear their jeans and pants slung low, they are unwittingly imitating Zulu young men from centuries ago. Secondly, it means that to argue that Shaka iLembe objectifies women is to object to a culture and a way of life."
"Our African ancestors spent centuries making clothes and body adornments that reflected their version of beauty. To object to a portrayal of this culture on screen is to object to beauty."
About being a Zulu woman, YouTuber Luyanda Madonia said seeing a bare-breasted woman was not shocking to her. She added that men also only wore items which covered their genitals but had their bums exposed when clad in traditional regalia.
"It's in me not to be shocked to see that on TV, especially when the story is about the Zulu kingdom, Shaka and Nandi," she said. "It's obviously how they have to be represented."
Madonia added that she was "confused" by the reactions to seeing Mbatha and her co-stars topless, saying, "There's nothing sexual about it".
Influencer Thobeka Mthembu said the reactions were "absolutely, absolutely atrocious". She added that it showed that the nation was not grounded and did not understand culture.
"For me, it really takes away from the storyline and the actual series and makes me feel as if people are going to be watching it because of Nomzamo's boobs," she said.
"As a Zulu woman, I've participated in a few cultural events that needed me to be bare-chested and not once at those gatherings did I feel like I was sexualised or scared to do it."
"I just wish South Africans were a little more educated around culture," Mthembu concluded.
"The decision was also that no actor or actress would be denied a part in Shaka iLembe if they decided that they didn't want to show their body. We followed that policy in the making of the series," Mokoena said, adding that the cast felt that the authentic representation of their characters' attire was important.
The accusation that Shaka iLembe objectifies women is, however, not about policy; it is about culture. Historically and culturally, none of the actors and actresses are nude – they are wearing the attire that reflects the culture we are portraying on screen.
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"This is culturally incorrect," she said. "In the Nguni past, both men and women took pride in their bodies – they dressed, oiled, bejewelled, tattooed and decorated their bodies according to what was fashionable and appropriate for their age group and social status."
She said even then, fashion changed "all the time", adding that "at some point", young men wore traditional leather kilts, known as amabheshu, slung low to reveal a part of their buttocks as part of the practice of ukutebhisa. The practice was scandalised by their elders.
"What this means is that even in the past, men could also do things with their bodies that cause public scandal; it wasn't just women," Mokoena said. "Two conclusions can be drawn from this – it means that when young men today wear their jeans and pants slung low, they are unwittingly imitating Zulu young men from centuries ago. Secondly, it means that to argue that Shaka iLembe objectifies women is to object to a culture and a way of life."
"Our African ancestors spent centuries making clothes and body adornments that reflected their version of beauty. To object to a portrayal of this culture on screen is to object to beauty."
About being a Zulu woman, YouTuber Luyanda Madonia said seeing a bare-breasted woman was not shocking to her. She added that men also only wore items which covered their genitals but had their bums exposed when clad in traditional regalia.
"It's in me not to be shocked to see that on TV, especially when the story is about the Zulu kingdom, Shaka and Nandi," she said. "It's obviously how they have to be represented."
Madonia added that she was "confused" by the reactions to seeing Mbatha and her co-stars topless, saying, "There's nothing sexual about it".
Influencer Thobeka Mthembu said the reactions were "absolutely, absolutely atrocious". She added that it showed that the nation was not grounded and did not understand culture.
"For me, it really takes away from the storyline and the actual series and makes me feel as if people are going to be watching it because of Nomzamo's boobs," she said.
"As a Zulu woman, I've participated in a few cultural events that needed me to be bare-chested and not once at those gatherings did I feel like I was sexualised or scared to do it."
"I just wish South Africans were a little more educated around culture," Mthembu concluded.
.jpg "Sona Solar Zimbabwe")
.jpg "Sona Solar Zimbabwe")
