Nambitha Ben-Mazwi on bagging a role on CBS and Showtime’s ‘King Shaka’

Nambitha Ben-Mazwi has joined Showtime and CBS studios’ series King Shaka that is now in production.

The actress flies the SA flag high alongside Thando Dlomo, Thapelo Mokoena and Warren Masemola in the series based on true events which follows the rise of Zulu empire founder Shaka, after uniting tribes in the early 19th century.

“It means a great deal to me. I am at the forefront of wanting to tell our own stories to the world. This is a big project for Showtime, they have invested a lot of development into it.

“I think it’s also critical, with regards to all the African stories being told in Hollywood at the moment, that we are telling our own stories. This, for me, is huge because its an incredible international cast and groundbreaking production” she told TshisaLIVE.

The auditioning process was lengthy and rigorous, Nambitha recalls. 

In the first quarter of 2022, Nambitha was up for a different role going through three different call backs, until jetting off to Los Angeles in June to meet the rest of the cast and team, and later being told she bagged the role of Queen Bhibhi.

She hopes her role will inspire young boys and girls to start knowing their history.

“I hope the audience will get to cry and feel her pain, see themselves in B. I hope it will evoke an emotion in them. I always strive in every character that I play to showcase truth ... what I love about this production is that it has so many different themes. It has birthright, overcoming obstacles, taking your rightful place ... that are extremely relatable that I feel us South Africans and the rest of the world will be able to connect with and learn from.”

Nambitha has been taking strides throughout her career. She is the first South African actress to have six credits on Netflix and is now expanding her footprint beyond the borders of Mzansi, after signing to one of the leading international agencies, Range Media Partners, which represents Halle Berry.

“For me it's God showing me what he can do and that nothing is impossible with him. I am more so encouraged and eager to see what more is in store. I always say my mandate and vision is to be an example of God's unlimited glory ... and I want to make sure that every progression and trial is an example, so young girls can see me and say: ‘If Nambitha can do it, what more can I do?’”

While at the peak of her acting career, Nambitha says she hopes to venture into producing as well.

“The work only has begun ... I’ve always been very strategic when it comes to my career, that was always the goal, to build an international resume and sign on to an international top agency and diversify my work as much as possible.

“I’m excited to create more history in different spheres and to surprise myself more. It is what I prayed for, these things happen in God’s time and I’ve seen the fruits of that. I’m excited to see the different aspects of my craft that I want to get into such as producing. I think it’s time.”