Mkabayi Reigns: Interview with Dawn Thandeka King

When Dawn Thandeka King appears on screen, she commands whatever realm she’s in. That commanding presence is on full display in Season 2 of Shaka iLembe, airing Sundays at 8PM on Mzansi Magic Channel 161, where she plays Mkabayi kaJama, the fearless matriarch of the Zulu royal bloodline and Shaka's advisor. 

The historical epic is hailed for its sweeping landscapes and large-scale production. It returns with more fire, conflict, and a deeper dive into the people behind the legend. At the heart of that storm stands Mkabayi, the elder with eyes everywhere and loyalty that runs generations deep.

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We caught up with Dawn Thandeka King to unpack the depth, stillness, and strength it took to embody Mkabayi - a role rooted in power, legacy, and unshakable silence. 

What drew you to Mkabayi’s story, and how did it feel to fully step into her power in Season 2?  

It was her strength and intelligence. I discovered this as I started reading more about her story. I fell in love with the fact that she was a daddy’s girl who wanted to please her father. I related to that, especially her desire to make him proud, even after he had passed. Her story has never been told properly, not even in the first Shaka Zulu film we grew up watching. But when I discovered the strength and intelligence behind how she helped shape the Zulu nation, I knew that if I ever got the opportunity to portray her, it would be the best thing to happen in my career.     

How did this role stretch you as an actress?  

At first, I didn’t realise how powerful this role would turn out to be. I knew the magnitude of who she was, but I didn’t realise how much it would impact me as a performer, and how much work I would have to do to feel comfortable telling her story. I had to apply stillness as a performer and as a human being, so that whatever the scene required would come out almost uninterrupted. There’s a lot of work I’ve done spiritually, understanding my position as a performer – that I’m not just performing, but representing someone who lived before, and I must do it to the best of my ability. 

In Season 1, we saw the strength of individual women. In Season 2, we see their unity. What does this evolution mean for Mkabayi, and how does it reflect the legacy of Zulu sisterhood and female leadership?  

It was important in Season 1 for the women to be established individually, so we could understand who they were in Shaka’s life and how that helped shape who he eventually became. Each woman gave him different qualities that shaped the man he became.  

In Season 2, we now see the unity of these women. They are not fighting among themselves but are united behind the man they raised together. It reflects what happens in many families: women are often behind the success of men. It shows us the strength and power of unity.   

For many viewers, this is the first time they’re seeing figures like Mkabayi at the forefront. What do you hope they carry forward from her story?  

What I’m excited about is knowing that Mkabayi has influenced a lot of young women to be independent, hardworking, and focused. Women who are firstborn, and those who end up not married but are successful and independent, are known as Mkabayi. Her influence dates back generations and continues to impact women who don’t want to rely on a man to be successful. Her story shows women that nothing should stop you, and that no role is only for men. I’m excited for women to watch her story unfold and realise just how much her influence shaped the Zulu nation, even beyond Shaka himself.