Shaka iLembe made history at the Saftas, securing 12 awards and solidifying its place as the most awarded drama series in the event’s history.

Thembinkosi Mthembu, who played King Dingiswayo, was nominated in four categories and ended up taking home the coveted Best Actor award.

“Dingiswayo took me to a place I never thought I’d reach as a performer. It was my first time reaching that level of connection with the character. He pushed me to break through my limits,” he said.

“I’m truly happy. When you love your work you keep pushing every year. Even when I wasn’t getting nominated, I kept telling myself I needed to work hard — not just for the awards but to keep improving in my job.”

Isolating himself and sustaining injuries are some of the ways Thembinkosi pushed the envelope when absorbing the character.

When preparing for his role as King Dingiswayo, Thembinkosi said he isolated himself, deleted most of his social media and stayed away from his partner and his family.

“Shaka was the first project I went full-on. This character is close to my heart. I fell in love with this character. I enjoyed it. I’m grateful we’re shooting season 2 soon,” he previously told TshisaLIVE.

While the fight scene between himself and the villain of the show, Zwide, played by Wiseman Mncube, was choreographed, some of the stunts were real.

“It was so real to the point where we fought, I hurt my back. When he punched me I fell on my back. I wasn’t supposed to fall but I was selling that punch because I felt like he was feeling it, so I jumped and fell on my back and had pain for about three weeks.”