Classic TV Theme: Shaka Zulu (Stereo)

Miniseries Monday: A ten-hour production by South African television, ’Shaka Zulu’ (1986) dramatizes the life of the Zulu leader as depicted in the 1985 novel of the same name. Joshua Sinclair authored both the book and the tv adaptation, combining history with oral tradition and speculative concepts like mysticism. The filming was going on while South African was under sanctions, and big-name UK stars who participated were nearly put on a U.N. blacklist. (Perhaps someone realized they should view the production before punishing the players.) The miniseries was syndicated by Harmony Gold in the US, where by 1992 it’s said to have been seen by 350 million viewers. South African composer Dave Polecutt contributed the music; the theme is performed by Margaret Singana and the Baragwanath Choir. 00:00 Opening titles. 01:03 End credits. Stereo sound via the soundtrack album.