SOME 2 000 guests, including Prince Harry of Wales, earlier this month attended a nostalgic 50th anniversary gala screening of the epic movie, ‘Shaka Zulu’ at the Odeon theatre in Leicester Square, London.
The great warrior King Shaka was portrayed in the black-and-white film by the legendary actor Henry Cele and was filmed at Shakaland, outside eShowe in 1964.
It depicts the heroic battle at Rorke’s Drift in 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu war and is classed as the favourite movie among Her Majesty’s Forces.
The 50-year anniversary screening was also attended by South African political icon Prince Mangosutho Buthelezi, who played the role in ‘King Shaka’ of his maternal great-grandfather, King Cetshwayo.
The London screening was a fund-raiser for three charities: Walking with the Wounded, The David Rattray Memorial Trust and Sentebale.
Former Zululander, Johnny McCabe was delighted to be among the guests and was privileged to interview Dr Buthelezi.
‘At 85 and looking fantastic he has lost none of the makings that group him with those leaders responsible for shaping and moulding our nation into its destiny.
‘I met him at his at his hotel in Mayfair and asked him what he would like to be remembered for,’ said McCabe.
‘He answered in a gracious way: ‘As someone who tried to serve his people for their best interest, not only the Zulu people but the people of South Africa, which for me will be the main thing’.’
