‘Shaka Ilembe’ costume designer Sheli Masondo. Picture: Supplied
The South African television series, “Shaka Ilembe”, which captivated audiences in 2023 and drew millions of viewers, has received international acclaim at the Septimius Awards held in Amsterdam.
The series, celebrated for its gripping narrative and historical authenticity won several awards, including a major accolade for Best Costume Design.
Costume designer for “Shaka Ilembe”, Sheli Masondo, expressed her gratitude at the international recognition.
“It was an amazing feeling to be recognised on an international stage and to be in a category where other costume designers did magnificent work.
“I did not expect to win ... I am very grateful that we can tell our stories in our language with our authentic traditional outfits,” she said.
Masondo received the coveted award for Best Costume Design, recognising her outstanding contribution to the series’ historical authenticity and visual excellence.
She said her victory is a testament to her dedication and extensive research over the past year.
Masondo added that as a designer who studied fashion at design school, she was blown away by the technique involved in the ancient way of pleating goat hide leather to make the skirts that married women wore at the time.
“When I created the costumes for the show, to derive inspiration, I walked empty fields looking at the birds, the trees, their bark, the fine textures, the veins on the leaves. It was very emotional for me.
“It was more than design. It was like stepping into my ancestors’ shoes and I was blown away by how creative they were using whatever surrounded them. There were no lace ribbons, fabric, sequins and bead, they used the natural things around them,” she said.
It was a spiritual moment for her and she was blessed that she had support. “People from KwaNdebele, KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg could translate everything that I envisioned, that I had brought back from my research into ‘Shaka Ilembe’ costumes,“ she said.
In addition to Masondo’s win, “Shaka Ilembe“ also saw Nomzamo Mbatha honoured at the Septimius Awards. Mbatha, who plays a key role in the series, won Best African Actress for her compelling portrayal as Queen Nandi.
Her performance has been widely praised for bringing depth and nuance to her character, further enhancing the series’ critical acclaim.
Masondo’s meticulous work also played a crucial role in the success of “Shaka Ilembe”, which has become the highest-performing MultiChoice drama series and the most Googled series in South Africa for 2023.
The series’ depiction of Zulu history and culture has been widely acclaimed, and Masondo’s costumes were integral to creating an immersive and authentic experience for viewers.
Executive producer at Bomb Productions, Desiree Markgraaff, praised Masondo and Mbatha’s exceptional work.
“Sheli and her incredible team are the epitome of excellence, passion, and professionalism, they produced hundreds of magnificent pieces of wardrobe for Season 1, and their excellence is reflected not only in the garments but also in their performances on set. We are thrilled to be working with them again on Season 2,” she said.
Masondo’s recognition at the Septimius Awards highlights the growing global appreciation for South African talent and underscores the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural heritage through authentic and thoughtful design.
Her win marks a significant achievement not just for her but for the broader South African entertainment industry, showcasing the impact of detailed and culturally respectful costume design.
The Star
lesego.montso@inl.co.za
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