There will be no more crocodile steak, zebra fillet or boerewors for Londoners with a palate for exotic South African flavoured fare after the renowned Shaka Zulu restaurant and nightspot – opened by late Zulu monarch king Goodwill Zwelithini – announced its closure this week.
Opened in 2010 in the northern suburb of Camden, the R66m South African-themed entertainment venue, which focused on Zulu culture, became London's gateway to fine South African wines and exotic dishes.
Shaka Zulu patrons were shocked to learn it was throwing an “end of an era” seven-hour party to mark its closure after 12 years of entertaining thousands of guests, among them celebrities like Bruno Mars and Nicole Scherzinger.
Shaka Zulu announced its imminent closure on its Facebook page: “It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Shaka Zulu after 12 amazing years.
“We have hosted everything from birthdays, graduations, weddings and corporate events over the years. Be sure to book your special occasion one last time.”
Named after Shaka, king of the Zulus, the more than 800-seater venue, is situated in the popular Camden Market and is the brainchild of UK developer Roger Payne.
Zulu culture has been depicted on an unimaginable scale, with a bronze statue of Shaka, Zulu-themed murals, carved wooden panels and elephants.
Under ceilings decorated with wooden murals of Shaka Zulu, there are two restaurants, one inspired by the Cape Town seafood bar concept, and at the other restaurant, meats are cooked in a uniquely South African way, including the braaied variety.
The “Exotic Meat King Sharer” board on the à la Carte menu, including buffalo striploin, crocodile steak, zebra fillet and boerewors, would set diners back more than R2,000. Most of the wines have been selected from South African wineries.
Two years before it opened Camden residents opposed the venture, citing noise pollution and parking as their main concerns.
In 2011, a year after it came into operation, Shaka Zulu changed hands when its original parent company was liquidated.
Before the project was given life, Payne visited South Africa and met with the late king about the opening of the venue.
Xolani Mbatha, a member of Zulu Tradition, a cast of Zulu dancers and singers based in the UK, told the Sunday Times he was saddened by Shaka Zulu’s closure.
“We were tasked with performing there on the weekends for about a year in 2012. I had no idea it was closing down.”
Mbatha, who lives three hours away in Huddersfield, described Shaka Zulu as iconic.
It’s a shame really that it’s closing because Roger had created a great atmosphere. It’s one place in London that provided that Southern Africa atmosphere
— Xolani Mbatha, traditional Zulu performer
“It’s a shame really that it’s closing because Roger had created a great atmosphere. It’s one place in London that provided that Southern Africa atmosphere.
“It’s been a hotspot for most Africans and other races when visiting London.”
Mbatha said while he did not meet late king Zwelithini, he believes the monarch may have advised Payne to include traditional dancers.
“We started performing there after the late king had been. I guess one of the things that was missing on his visit was entertainment,
“Hence they tracked us down and contracted us to perform there.”
Mbatha, who moved to the UK in 2005, said he last visited Shaka Zulu in 2018 as part of a night out with friends.
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