Princess Mkabayi’s shenanigans in full display on stage at the Kings Theatre in Alex

Based on a true story, The Zulu Queen Musical is a beautiful stage play based around an iconic African woman and Zulu princess, Princess Mkabayi KaJama (role played by Nomsa Sithe).

The non-fiction story revolves around Mkabayi, who was born with a twin sister and according to the AmaZulu custom, one twin was to be killed at birth to avoid bad luck but the AmaZulu King, King Jama KaNdaba (role played by John Kgabetli Mmeko) went against the AmaZulu tradition and spared both the twins.

The play will be performed at the King’s Theatre in Alexandra on 12 June at 6pm and according to Lwandile Jentile, who is the writer and director of the play, it will be full of drama, action and the narratives of betrayal.

“The play will be full of chaotic moments and it will make the theatre-goers on the day experience different emotions. It will be like opening your bedroom window in the morning during summer and the sun hits you straight in the eyes and you start crying tears of joy,” Jentile said.

The play displays the power of poetry, rebellion, music, culture, dance, and passion as the audience gets to see Mkabayi being blamed for much of the chiefdom’s misfortunes and growing up being resented by the AmaZulu nation for being of stronger character than her twin sister.

One turning point is where the play tells how Mkabayi got into power by persuading her father to marry another wife, Mthaniya Sibisi, who would then give birth to the next heir to the throne named, Senzangakhona, to ensure the continuation of the Zulu bloodline and monarch.

Mkabayi then gets to win the love of the AmaZulu nation after her role in ensuring she is the heir to the throne. After the death of her father Mkabayi, as expected of her shenanigans, appoints herself as Regent Queen when she realises that Senzangakhona was still too young to ascend the throne.

The play is written in three languages; IsiZulu, English, and IsiXhosa. Jentile says the viewers will get to witness how the rebellious Mkabayi, as she was best known when growing up, becomes a kingmaker for three succeeding reigns, leading coups and arranging assassinations.

It is set from the birth of Mkabayi in 1750 to her death in 1843, when she died in exile after being banished by Mpande kaSenzangakhona after defeating Dingane (sometimes referred to as Dingaan) kaSenzangakhona.

The drama will be presented by Ibuyile IAfrica – The Sound of Liberation NPO and will run for two hours with some musical entertainment lead by Dikeledi Litebele, who will also be playing the role of Queen Nandi.

However, Jentile said that the play will also touch base on the assassination of the most influential monarch of the AmaZulu Kingdom, King Shaka Zulu, which is said through the grapevine to have been plotted by Mkabayi and Dingane.