Shaka Zulu (1986)

Henry Cele: Shaka

Photos 

Quotes 

• Shaka : Never leave an enemy behind or it will rise again to fly at your throat.

• Mudli : [Shaka has interrupted Sigujana's coronation ceremony]  In the name of that is sacred, leave this kraal now!

  Shaka : Does my presence frighten you, Elder? Or is it your guilt that prevents your allegiance?

  Mudli : [spits]  Your regiments cannot win my allegiance, Shaka. Son of Nandi, Senzagakona kaJama Zulu. The true descendant of Zulu kaMalandela has dictated his choice. I will defend that decision with my life. I will not allow you to defile the divine visions of my tribe. Leave this kraal. NOW!

  Shaka : Gujana, kill this man. He has insulted the king.

  Mudli : No. If there will be darkness, I pray that the ancestors preserve and protect our tribe and safeguard the past as it was.

  Shaka : Nothing will be as it was... ever again.

  [to Sigujana] 

  Shaka : Now kill him.

  Shaka : [Sigujana reluctantly kills Mudli with the spear]  Gujana, do you acknowledge me as your king?

  Sigiyana : [bows to Shaka and wraps his arms around his leg]  Yes. Yes Shaka. You are my lord, my master.

  Shaka : [pushes Sigujana down]  Then you are a fool!

  [kills Sigujana with his spear] 

• Shaka : [their final meeting before Shaka's return to his capital, where Shaka will be assassinated by his own aunt]  ... Tell me - How do you catch a monkey?

  Lt. Francis Farewell : Well, a gourd is used... with a narrow neck. Bait is dropped into the gourd: a piece of fruit, or - or something shiny. The monkey puts his hand into the gourd to get the bait, and then he's trapped... because he can't get his fist out.

  Shaka : Once he realizes he's trapped, why doesn't the monkey let go of the bait?

  Lt. Francis Farewell : Because his greed makes him blind.

  Shaka : And what is he greedy for?

  Lt. Francis Farewell : What he thinks he cannot have.

  Shaka : And now - What new bait have you brought for this monkey? Something shiny? Like the freshness of youth? Or lost love?

  Lt. Francis Farewell : ...Hating my people is not the answer. Together, we can find another way.

  Shaka : No. You have already proven that you were never with me. You are a shadow, a man without a nation. Go. I have no need for you anymore.

  Lt. Francis Farewell : GO? Go where? WHERE can I go?

  Shaka : Where *I* have been.

• Shaka : A man chosen to wield life and death on the battlefield must be an artist, if he isn't, he is simply a murderer.

• Shaka : [last words, as he is slain by his own bodyguards]  ... THE SWALLOWS HAVE WON!

  ["Swallows" is the Zulus' term for the British... since they, like their bird-namesakes, first came to Africa from across the sea] 

• [Shaka is presented with an emblem of royalty] 

  Senzagakona : Wear it proudly, my son.

  Shaka : Proudly? Must I wear it proudly? And spit on my mother's pride? Where were you when we nearly died of hunger, persecuted by the scum of this land! Now that your calf has grown to be a bull with horns, you want him in your house!... I accept the spear and shield, Symbols that make me a Zulu warrior... But this, I will take by force! As I made everything that I am, by force! If my mother is not a royal wife, then I know no man by the name of Senzangakhona Kachama!... Buzhi! I will be King!

• Dingiswayo : When I spoke of that nation, I wanted the name Mtetwa to stand for peace not total war! I wanted my armies to bring subjugation not destruction!

  Shaka : To subdue another tribe, you must strike it once and for all. Total war, total subjugation to the paramount king and total destruction to anyone who raises even a whisper against him! Never leave an enemy behind or it will rise again to fly at your throat! There's no other way!

  Dingiswayo : Yes, Shaka there is! Faith!

  Shaka : IN WHAT!

  Dingiswayo : The human being. Reason. In each man's desire to believe in himself and his fellow man.

  Shaka : Zwide of the Ndwandwes is preparing an attack. His army's as large, if not larger than yours. He has heard of our battle tactics and has devised others which I fear is just as effective. He has only one wish, baba. To crush you and your paramountcy to oblivion. And believe me, baba, he won't with faith and reason. But if you say I abuse my freedom, I'll ask you to accept my resignation as commander of your regiments.