Hooked on Shaka iLembe? 10 epic shows and movies you’ll love

The masterful cinematography and unforgettable performances of Mzansi Magic’s Shaka iLembe Season 2 will have you glued to your screen – until the next episode drops on Sunday night at 8PM.  

Want to know what to watch while you wait? If you love royal drama, ancient prophecy, and power behind the throne, Queen Modjadji brings it all — following the rise of the legendary Balobedu rainmaker whose silence holds kingdoms in suspense.

In the mood for legendary battles and high-stakes legacy? Gladiator II is your cinematic fix. And if you’re drawn to African mythology with a bold, supernatural twist, Blood Psalms brings mysticism and mayhem in equal measure.  

If Shaka iLembe is your vibe, these are the titles you’ll want to stream next. 

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If you love Shaka iLembe, you will like these...

1. Queen Modjadji

Queen Modjadji is a lavish historical epic produced by Rhythm World Productions for Mzansi Magic and DStv, exploring the mystical legacy of the Balobedu Rain Queen. Starring Makoma Mohale as Queen Maselekwani, the cast includes talents like Wiseman Zitha, Sipho Ndlovu, and Shudu Musida, blending seasoned performers with rising stars. Filmed in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape, the series draws inspiration from the true story of the first Queen Modjadji, whose bloodline has led the Lobedu clan for generations. It aims to open doors for emerging creatives while preserving and celebrating African heritage. The royal visit by His Majesty, Ba Mosata, Bakhoma Mpapatla Modjadji of the Balobedu Royal Family to MultiChoice City in Randburg marked a significant cultural moment. This production not only launched with royal recognition but also brings African narratives to life for both local and global audiences, deepening the appreciation of Africa’s rich ancestral history. Queen Modjadji is available to binge on DStv Stream. 

2. Blood Psalms

Blood Psalms is a high-budget fantasy epic co-produced by Showmax, Canal+, and Yellowbone Entertainment, and helmed by acclaimed creators Jahmil XT Qubeka and Layla Swart. Filmed across the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, and North West, it stars a powerhouse cast of SAFTA-recognised talent including Bokang Phelane, Sello Maake Ka‑Ncube, Warren Masemola, Hlubi Mboya, and Siv Ngesi. Set 11 000 years ago in a mythic Africa before the Great Flood, the series follows Princess Zazi (Phelane) as she confronts a world-ending prophecy while navigating tribal vendettas, cursed bloodlines, and the wrath of ancient gods. With breathtaking visuals and deeply rooted mythologies, the series transports viewers to a lost world shaped by the migrations of five ancient tribes – the Akachi, Uchawi, Ku’ua, Chini, and Great Nziwemabwe – who journeyed south from Kemet (now Egypt) to form new kingdoms. Blood Psalms is a bold reimagining of African history, legend, and identity.

Blood Psalms is available to binge on DStv Stream and Showmax. 

3. Sibongile & The Dlaminis 

Mzansi Wethu’s first original telenovela from Rhythm World Productions became an instant hit after launching in July 2023, breaking viewership records and drawing over two million loyal viewers in its first season. The show follows a young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn, reshaping her destiny and that of the powerful Dlamini family and their empire. Its compelling mix of love, ambition, survival, and family power struggles resonated deeply with audiences. The stellar cast includes Ayanda Borotho, Siyabonga Shibe (also in Shaka iLembe), Vuyo Biyela, Slindile Nodangala, Yolanda Myeza, and rising star Luyanda Zwane, who played the original Sibongile. In Season 2, Nsikelelo Mthiyane steps into the lead role.

Watch new episodes Mondays to Wednesdays at 6:30PM on Mzansi Wethu Channel 163. All previous episodes available on DStv Stream. 

4. Outlaws 

The gritty, contemporary Western from powerhouse creators Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon, the award-winning duo behind The River, Adulting, and Youngins. Set in the breathtaking yet perilous borderlands between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal, this high-stakes drama follows two feuding families: the Zulu, cattle-farming Biyelas, and the Basotho, cattle-raiding Ts’eoles. At its heart is a gripping clash of tradition, survival, and loyalty, where justice isn't always found in law. SAFTA winner Thembinkosi Mthembu, who also portrays King Dingiswayo in Shaka iLembe, delivers a commanding performance that anchors the story. The cast also features standout roles by Lehlohonolo Mayeza, Keketso Mpitso, Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku, and Mmabatho Mogomotsi. Honoured as Best Telenovela at the 2024 SAFTAs, Outlaws is more than just a battle for cattle – it’s a battle for legacy, identity, and the future of generations.

Outlaws is now streaming on Showmax. 

5. iThonga 

A gripping, high-stakes drama about love, destiny, and the mystical, unbreakable bond between twins. The series dives deep into the spiritual belief that twins share one soul – forever linked, no matter how different their lives become. It follows Banele and Sanele, twin brothers on opposing paths: one walking in the light, the other swallowed by shadows. Yet, their destinies remain powerfully intertwined. Set against the stunning landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal, the story unravels within a dark world of construction mafias, betrayal, and fate that refuses to be ignored. SAFTA winner Bonko Khoza delivers a masterful performance in the dual lead roles, portraying both brothers with intensity and nuance. He is joined by a stellar cast including Ayanda Borotho, Noluthando Ngema, Siphosethu Mabaso, and Nelisiwe Sibiya. A must-watch series that explores whether destiny can be outrun — or if some paths are already written.

Watch new episodes weekdays at 8:30PM on Mzansi Magic Channel 161. All previous episodes on DStv Stream. 

6. Genesis

Step into the fierce, high-stakes world of gospel music with Genesis, a gripping telenovela where loyalty is tested, ambition burns hot, and betrayal lurks in every shadow. Set against the vibrant and emotionally charged backdrop of Mzansi’s gospel industry, Genesis delivers a whirlwind of family drama, power struggles, love, and faith. It’s a compelling journey through passion and conflict in a world where reputations, relationships, and legacies are always on the line. Produced by Singavision Production, the show offers fire performances from an all-star cast including Baby Cele (also seen in Shaka iLembe), Buyile Mdladla, Nay Maps, Gaosi Raditholo, Kealeboga Masango, and KB Motsilanyane. With its explosive mix of power, betrayal, family ties, and faith, Genesis resonates deeply with South African audiences and takes viewers inside a world where gospel music is more than a calling – it’s a battlefield.

Watch new episodes weekdays at 7:30PM on Mzansi Magic Channel 161. All previous episodes available on DStv Stream. 

7. Ifalakhe

The gripping tale of war, power, and prophecy, set amidst the brutal conflict between the Okuhle tribe and the Khanya raiders. When King Khombindlela’s twin sons are born, an ancient prophecy seals their fate – one is destined to save the kingdom, the other to destroy it. Produced by Stained Glass Productions, the powerhouse behind eHostela and The Wife, this 13-part epic is loaded with suspense, betrayal, and intense drama. Starring Bheki Sibiya, Bheki Ngcobo, Chris Q Radebe, and Sthandwa Nzuza, the cast is fully committed to authenticity, bringing the culture, language, and emotional depth of the era vividly to life. Ifalakhe delivers a jaw-dropping, never-seen-before story of clashing kingdoms, power-hungry kings, and their treacherous kin. With powerful performances and a storyline fuelled by destiny, Ifalakhe is a must-watch for fans of epic African storytelling. Witness the dramatic rise and fall of legacy, loyalty, and power.

Watch Season 1 on Saturdays at 4:30PM on the Mzansi Magic 15th Birthday Celebration Pop-Up Channel 196, and stream now on Showmax. 

8. Gladiator II

The 12th biggest box office hit of 2024 roars back onto screens with Ridley Scott continuing his legendary saga of power, vengeance, and survival in Ancient Rome. Years after the fall of Maximus, Lucius – once heir to the empire – watches his world collapse under ruthless emperors. Thrust into the blood-soaked chaos of the Colosseum, he must battle not just for his life, but for the soul of Rome itself. Fueled by rage, loyalty, and honour, Lucius must confront his past to reclaim a future lost to tyranny. The film is already a major awards-season contender, with nominations at the Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and Critics Choice Awards. Paul Mescal delivers a breakout performance as Lucius, earning a Best Lead Actor nod at the Irish Film and Television Awards. With Denzel Washington as Macrinus, plus Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen, this sequel is nothing short of cinematic glory.

Now streaming on DStv Stream. 

9. 1802: Love Defies Time 

The spellbinding Xhosa romance where true love crosses centuries and realms. Just as a young woman prepares to marry the man of her dreams, fate intervenes, pulling her into another world where her real soulmate awaits. This is a timeless love story of destiny, passion, and time-bending romance. What if you were about to marry the perfect man, only to discover your true love existed in another realm? When Khosi accepts Zuko’s proposal and begins her career as a medical intern, she believes her life is finally starting. But her fate has already been written. Torn between two lives and two loves, her impossible situation fuels tension and emotional conflict in this powerful narrative. Produced and co-created by Lulu Hela of Hela Media, this romantic fantasy features captivating performances from Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo, Prince Grootboom, Motheo Ratikane, Vuyolwethu Ngcukana, and Amanda Quwe.

Stream 1802: Love Defies Time now on Showmax. 

10. Inimba 

The powerful and emotionally charged story of love, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond of a mother. Zoleka Mabandla seems to have it all – a loving family, a thriving career, and a dream job on the horizon. But everything changes when her husband, Hlathi, forces her to choose between her ambition and her role as a wife and mother. Faced with an impossible decision, Zoleka must make the ultimate sacrifice. Set against a backdrop of tough choices and emotional turmoil, Inimba explores what it truly means to fight for both your dreams and your family. The drama is brought to life by a fire cast including Lunathi Mampofu, Sisa Hewana, Siyabonga Shibe (who is also on Shaka iLembe), Zenande Mfenyana, Ayakha Ntunja, Prince Grootboom, Nkanyiso Makhanya, and Andrea Dondolo. With its heart-wrenching tension and raw performances, Inimba will have you glued to your screens every episode.

Watch new episodes weekdays at 9PM on Mzansi Magic Channel 161. All previous episodes on DStv Stream.