Original subtitles

DOWNLOADED FROM WWW.AWAFIM.TV

(Narrator) Not only fairy tales begin with "Once upon a time".

This story has no owner.

Even if it did, they would deny it.

They'd swear by Phunga and Mageba and sing their kings' praises

distancing themselves from these tales.

I, Mkabayi, daughter of Jama will give you a few clues,

to open paths, so that you too can lose yourself in the story.

(bees buzzing)

(Mkabayi) You and I will meet again soon.

But first, let me introduce our young hero.

(Boy #1) Move. Move!

Move.

Move.

Looks like he wants to cry.

-Look, he's going to pee himself. -(laughter)

You want to run and hide under your mother's skirt?

You want your mommy? You want your mommy?

What kind of a Prince are you, coward?

(Boy #1) Look at him.

(Shaka) I am a leopard.

I am a lion.

I am an elephant.

What is he doing?

(tense music)

(music intensifying)

What is he doing?

(Boy #1) Shaka.

(Boy #2) Shaka, we were just playing.

Wait.

Here's the wimp that hides under his mother's skirt.

(boys screaming)

(serene music)

Mlilwana. What's going on?

You've been stung.

No, I'm fine, Mother.

I got you some honey.

Take it, it's yours.

You got me some honey.

Let me taste it.

-(Shaka) How is it? -It's sweet.

(both chuckling)

(music continues)

(dramatic music)

(birds chirping)

(Mkabayi) Let's begin our tale with Nandi as a young maiden.

(Piklile) Only warriors jump from here.

(Nandi) Why can't I be a warrior?

Hold this.

(Piklile) Nandi. Nandi!

-Attack! -(all screaming)

(serene music)

Nandi! (gasping)

(music continues)

(Nandi) See, it's easy?

-Jump! -(Piklile) No way!

-We're not crazy. -Jump.

(Piklile) Nandi, why do you always want to break the rules?

What will your future husband think about your antics?

If he's a coward, he'll have to stay far away...

-from the daughter of Mbhengi. -(Piklile chuckling)

My goodness!

(Mgabhi) What are you doing here?

(maidens) Prince.

Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for the journey tomorrow?

-Where's Nandi? -(Nandi) Brother!

I slipped and fell into the river.

Nandi,

the Queen's waiting for you.

Stop jumping around like frogs.

Get out of there!

-Frogs. -(maidens chuckling)

(melancholic music)

(indistinct chatter)

-(Nandi) There's Nosipho. -(Piklile) Nosipho.

-(Nosipho) I'm coming back. -Those are my beads you are wearing.

We'll be looking gorgeous.

We'll party and feast.

Boys' jaws will drop mesmerised by our beauty.

There is your boyfriend, Mfanafuthi.

We all know Mfanafuthi only wants you.

(Nandi) He told me...

you give him thrills.

-Mfana-- -No Nandi. Oh my G**.

You're embarrassing me.

(Nandi giggling)

(Mfunda) Nandi. Have you forgotten you leave early in the morning?

No, Mama.

But you're dragging your feet.

I've never seen that.

Do you mean this?

It's a gift...

I brought for my Queen.

(both chuckling)

Stop playing with me. Take your feather and throw it away.

Are you ready to attend your cousin's wedding?

I can't even sleep at night.

Soon we'll be sending you to marry.

How do you feel about that?

Leaving my home land...

leaving the people who love me?

Why can't us women choose for ourselves?

Because you're a Princess, Nandi.

-Queen. -My girl.

Before I forget...

Induna Manzini will be escorting you.

Bab' Zungu?

Are we going to a wedding or a war?

Rumour has it there are raiders out there.

It's fine then. I'll protect us.

I should've been in the army.

A great drought has struck in the North.

As you know... hunger breeds rage.

(dramatic music)

(villagers screaming)

Ah! There's a fire!

Something's burning that side.

Hurry, go help! I'll watch the cattle.

(music continues)

(Zwide) Hello, boy.

Why don't you go help put out the fire over there?

We'll herd the cattle.

(Zwide) Run!

Men.

Let's take them.

(whistling)

Father! Father!

Men have set fire to the village and now they're taking cattle.

You let thieves steal my cattle?

Stupid boy!

(whistling)

(Man) What's this?

You'll die if you take these cattle.

Well, men...

looks like we have ourselves a fight.

You people have everything.

You have livestock and grazing lands. What's your problem?

-While hunger is killing us. -(Cija) I dare anyone of you

to try and stop us.

(Zwide) As you can see,

things have been resolved.

We're leaving now.

Let's go.

Luhleko.

Let them go.

(Mkabayi) Zwide of the Ndwandwe

saw the drought as an opportunity to pillage.

This was the beginning of a darkness that would engulf all kingdoms.

(maidens singing)

(Piklile) It's your wedding I can't wait for, Nandi.

They say he's charming.

They also say...

he's as kind as a sheep.

They say he has a big belly and he walks like this.

He'll marry his own shadow if he's like that.

It's good to marry while young,

so that you'll grow your big bellies together.

You marry him then.

If you don't want him, give him tome.

Take him.

(Maiden #1) Don't forget about me.

(men singing)

(Dlabehlezi) Greetings, old warrior.

We're travelling with Senzangakhona son of Jama from the Zulu palace.

(Zungu) We're related.

We're of the royal house of eLangeni.

(Dlabehlezi) Old warrior,

you look comfortable between the ladies.

Boys.

This is Princess Nandi.

Move out of the way.

Indeed, old warrior.

-Indeed. -(Zungu) Let's go.

Are you really Princess Nandi daughter of Mbhengi?

They've already told you.

I've heard of your beauty...

but the person who told me lied to me.

Is that so?

There's no woman alive,

that's more beautiful than you in all the corners of the world.

The word "beauty" appeared when you were born.

I heard...

that Prince Senzangakhona son of Jama,

is a little boy.

But, no...

he's a grown man.

A man who roars.

Good for me, the son of Jama.

There goes my father's cattle.

-Dlabehlezi did you hear that? -(Dlabehlezi) Yes, Ndaba.

This lady says she sees the man in me.

I didn't say that.

(Zungu) Hey Zulu boy.

You're being disrespectful now.

We're not going to listen to your nonsense.

You're delaying us.

Tell me, old warrior...

this gorgeous lady,

is she taken?

If not we Zulu are available.

Available with what?

You're too late Zulu boy.

-She's promised to another. -Even so...

Whoever caught the bird hasn't yet cooked it.

As long as lobola has not been paid...

may we present our case as Zulu.

(Zungu) Listen boy,

-take your skinny backsides home. -(maidens chuckling)

-(Zungu) Let's go. -(Elder) Come let's go, girls.

(melancholic music)

When will you return?

In a couple of days handsome Prince.

(Elder) Piklile and Nandi, you have no shame.

You embarrass eLangeni.

(Senzangakhona) Be careful guys...

Nandi shouldn't hypnotise you.

Like her home, eLangeni, her eyes are bright like the sun.

When she looks at you, your heart warms.

-Then what happens? -Everything melts.

(Maiden #1 chuckling) Girl...

who wouldn't enjoy being wrestled by that hunk?

(Elder) Come, let's go.

You're naughty. Let's go.

(all singing)

The sun you speak of,

will set in kwaZulu.

That lady will end up at kwaZulu, I swear.

(Dlabehlezi) Mageba.

-Start the song! -(Dlabehlezi singing)

(Mkabayi) Love is a raging fire that burns on all sides.

Desire is the wind that blows this fire.

That was the nature of the meeting between my brother Senzangakhona,

and the sweetheart of Mbhengi, Nandi.

You're deep in thought, dreaming about marrying a Prince.

The question is...

-which one? -You like being silly.

(all singing/ululating)

(Announcer) The Prince has returned!

The Prince has returned!

The Prince has returned!

(all singing/cheering)

It's fatty.

Don't leave meat on the skin, Dlabehlezi.

This is how you do it.

(Mkabayi chuckling)

We won't sleep today,

my brother telling us of his hunting victories,

until the morning. You know how he is.

Mageba.

Well, daughter of Jama,

something tells me he's already forgotten about that.

Are we talking about my brother?

What's on his mind now is the Princess from eLangeni.

-King Mbhengi's daughter? -Yes.

We came across maidens from eLangeni going to a wedding.

The Prince was mesmerised by her.

(Mkabayi) You know that my brother is weak when it comes to ladies.

(Mkabayi) I told you we would meet.

That's me, Mkabayi, daughter of Jama.

I was a young cub then.

I had not yet learnt that the kingmaker

doesn't sit on the throne with the king.

Greetings, great Ndaba.

-Come closer, daughter. -Mageba.

We're teaching your brother about leadership.

Sithuli sikaNdaba.

Great Prince Mudli tells me the drought is ravaging the North.

This means the ancestors must be smiling on us.

What does my Princess think?

The drought will cause conflict.

The Ndwandwe will raid our livestock and take our grazing lands.

(Jama) That's true.

How do we solve this problem?

The one on the throne...

must form alliances through marriage.

This will unite the South so we can face the North with strength.

Mageba, my brother's been charmed by a certain flower,

-from eLangeni. -(laughter)

They say it's Mbhengi's daughter.

That's why we're getting wise advice

on the importance of alliance through marriage.

It's clear that the moment we depart,

those who follow us will rule with their hearts.

We were also hot-blooded when we were young.

That's true, Mageba.

The problem is her mother is Qwabe.

We have worked so hard to cut ties

between us and the Qwabe.

(Senzangakhona) Mageba, to avoid the Ndwandwe's encroachment,

-we have to-- -That's enough.

I said it's enough.

When the time comes, for you to settle down,

your sister will choose for you.

-You must respect that. -Mageba.

(Mahole) One day you'll be King and do as you please.

-Will that day ever come? -It'll come. It'll come.

Let's forget about politics.

In a few days,

eLangeni maidens will be passing here on their way back home.

-We'll be waiting for them. -Mageba.

(melancholic music)

(maidens singing)

(Zungu snoring)

(Piklile) He drank too much yesterday.

-We'll be back. -Where're you going?

-Somewhere. -Don't take too long, Nandi.

(Piklile chuckling)

Did you see how the bride was dancing?

And their maidens?

Here come the beauties from kwaZulu.

(Senzangakhona) My head has gone crazy and my heart has stopped.

(Nandi) Even if my eyes were clouded,

I'd still see you're pretty fine.

(Senzangakhona) Because you can't see my insides.

(Nandi) What's happening?

When I see you, my heart jumps.

The Prince just said his heart has stopped.

That's what I'm trying to tell you,

you're the one controlling my heart.

When you tell it to beat,

it beats.

When you tell it to stop,

it stops.

Your beauty is like the sun, like your home.

You're the sunshine.

Come warm the Zulu lands, give yourself to them.

(Zungu) Boy!

Jama's boy.

You're full of s***.

You disrespect the eLangeni royal house.

You were told the Princess is taken.

Calm down, Manzini.

Apologies, Mageba.

No. He is right.

-I made a mistake. -It's fine.

We must go.

I'd like to apologise to the Princess as well.

My men are coming with a kill from our hunt.

Could I offer it to you?

There's no need for that.

Please don't refuse it.

It's a token of my respect for the people of eLangeni.

-Bab' Zungu. -Yes.

I think...

the Prince's humility should be rewarded with forgiveness.

(Piklile wincing) And I also twisted my ankle, Manzini.

Listen my boy,

I'm watching you with an eagle eye.

-Dlabehlezi. -Prince.

-Tell the men to bring the animal. -Prince.

(melancholic music)

Let's go to the river.

-Bab' Zungu. -Yes.

May we please go to the river?

I'll send men to accompany you.

No need, Manzini.

It's just a short walk.

-We'll also bathe. -(Zungu) Mm.

Don't go too far.

Manzini.

Do Zulu girls only use water for drinking?

Us girls from eLangeni,

jump in it.

(melancholic music)

(indistinct chatter)

-"Are you Nandi from eLangeni?" -(both chuckling)

-(water splashing) -(ominous music)

Gorgeous girls.

I could sink my claws into that one.

That will never happen!

We also came to bathe.

Cija, give him a hand.

Dare come any closer.

(Zwide) Calm down, ladies.

You see my friend here,

hasn't been with a woman in a long time.

This one claws.

Get away from me.

Hey, boys!

These maidens are under our protection.

Boys.

Did we interrupt you while you were jerking-off?

Continue and you'll get into trouble.

What are you going to do?

(both grunting)

Zulu!

(Zwide) Qinisani!

Qinisani wake up.

-(grunting) -(screaming)

(Senzangakhona) Nandi, run!

(Nandi/Piklile screaming)

(Zungu) Hey, Ndwandwe!

You're trespassing.

What do you want here?

Leave!

Remember this, Zulu,

All actions have consequences.

(tense music)

Son of Jama...

you saved the Princess of eLangeni.

We'll never forget what you did.

(Nandi) You showed wisdom.

You're a man amongst men.

(Senzangakhona) I did what was necessary, old warrior.

(tender music)

I'll never forget you.

(Zwide) Qinisani, my brother.

We will now release your spirit.

(sombre music)

-(breathing heavily) -(music stops)

(music continues)

We will walk through the night.

He has to rest in his forefathers' land with his ancestors.

So that when we take revenge on those Zulu dogs,

who took his life...

-(objects clattering) -What's that?

It's those dogs.

-(cow lowing) -(Cija) Who is this?

-Bring him here. -(Cija) He has a spear.

Is it only this little boy?

It can't be. Cija...

it's a trap.

Where are the rest of the dogs you're with?

I'm alone.

You're lying.

Why are you here?

All actions have consequences.

I came to kill you.

Cija.

Give him a weapon.

Do what you came here to do.

You killed my father!

(dramatic music)

You have two choices.

We do to you what you came here to do to me...

or you come with us,

so I can teach you ways to carry out revenge.

They crossed the Mhlathuze to raid in the south.

-That doesn't mean you-- -I told you I did it to protect.

Enough, both of you!

It's clear Prince Senzangakhona killed one of their warriors.

Send warriors to guard the outlying homesteads.

-Great Prince. -Great Zulu.

You must head North and negotiate peace with King Langa.

Even though they're facing the drought,

their army is still more powerful than any enemy they face.

Son of Ndaba.

I'll leave at dawn.

Great Zulu.

(Senzangakhona) I call on you great Phunga and Mageba.

Let his shadow be removed from me.

Let him be removed from me.

(Mkabayi) Grief becomes need,

and need becomes grief.

(sombre music)

Death has it's own way of pushing events forward.

You dare break our treaties with the South?

-We were following a hunting trail-- -Nonsense.

And you stole cattle?

South of the Mhlathuze river as well.

What's important, Zikode, is to feed our people,

given our current situation.

-Unfortunately we crossed the border. -And what about Qinisani?

Senzangakhona attacked us for no reason.

I think we should take revenge.

An eye for an eye.

The Queen is right.

In the South their herds are large and fat.

Mkhatshwa, we should take advantage of the situation,

and avenge the killing of Qinisani.

We'll take their livestock,

and their land.

Mkhatshwa, our people are starving.

Treaties mean nothing when our people are dying from hunger.

-Zwide. -(Zwide) My King.

Dare go beyond the Mhlathuze river again...

I'll kill you with my bare hands.

Understood?

Mkhatshwa.

Take this.

(mysterious music)

(Langa clearing throat) Get out!

I said get out.

My husband.

It's been a long time since you visited me.

Don't patronise me, Woman.

-I wouldn't dare, my King-- -You sent Zwide to provoke a war.

What's the King talking about?

You disrespect me.

You go behind my back.

The King knows,

I didn't humiliate the Hlubi King who cursed us with drought.

Watch your words, Woman.

Zwide has a vision.

He's not resting while our people starve.

He shows initiative...

like a King.

Are you done?

-Yes. -Listen.

Zwide will never be King.

No child from your womb will sit on this throne.

Ngqondo will be my heir.

Tonight...

things will change.

We'll see.

We'll see.

We'll see.

(ominous music)

(hyenas howling)

-Greetings Ndwandwe. -Greetings, Men.

We're enjoying the meat.

It's as if I'm dreaming.

We haven't had meat in a long time.

What are the people saying out there?

People aren't happy with the King.

To us you're the King.

Mkhatshwa!

My brothers.

look how happy our father's people are.

Meat from the South tastes the same as meat from the North.

Wouldn't it be great to get more?

Wouldn't it be great?

(men) Mkhatshwa!

(melancholic music)

Luhleko.

-My King. -The boy must eat.

From now on he'll be my carrier.

My King.

(men) Mkhatshwa.

(ominous music)

(hyenas squealing)

-(Servant) Great Ndwandwe. -Where's she?

The Queen is up there.

My King, be careful.

There's rumours of a two-headed beast that lives there.

Rubbish, there's no beast. It's my witch wife.

I will end this tonight.

(tense music)

(ominous music)

Great G**.

What's this thing?

Go and kill it.

(grunting)

(dramatic music)

(Ntombazi) Ndwandwe, my husband.

Do you think I didn't know I was being followed?

Is this the place...

you perform your witchcraft?

(Goloza) Ndwandwe.

It's me, your son...

The new-born that was thrown away...

as food for animals.

I don't father goblins.

He's been taken care of by animals all these years.

Even now they still protect him.

Son,

say goodbye to your father.

(hyenas growling)

(Langa muttering/screaming)

(Langa screaming)

-It's about the King. -What is it?

Last night the King asked me to accompany him.

(Ngqondo) Who could do such a thing?

If not hyenas, who were you thinking?

(maidens singing)

(Man) Dance Princess of eLangeni.

Dance daughter of Mbhengi.

The sun of eLangeni is rising.

Are you ready to meet your bride?

Which one is she?

The one in front of you.

Let it be, Prince.

Which one is he?

That one...

your man.

Tell me you're joking.

His Kingdom is much richer than the Zulu.

Why's he like this?

(mourners singing)

(tense music)

This day will come for you too.

Don't shiver like him.

It will be my honour.

Those are the people whose necks should be snapped.

(boys singing)

(women ululating)

(chanting)

(Councillor) Before I set the mourning period

for our departed King,

Prince Ngqondo has asked to say a word.

(Ntombazi) What's so urgent it can't wait?

This is about the murder of the King.

And the person who did it.

(Ngqondo) In honour of our late King...

I can no longer be quiet.

The Queen is a witch and a murderer.

What did you say?

She set hyenas on the King and killed him.

(Ntombazi chuckling) Prince...

you've shown your true colours.

What are you trying to do?

Get rid of me and take over?

It is the truth Councillor.

Do you have evidence?

Nkanizababili...

was with the King.

(Ngqondo) Nkanizababili,

do you agree with what Prince Ngqondo says?

(tense music)

I do.

What madness is this? Such vile accusations against the Queen.

What else would you say?

Some accusations can be resolved by umhlahlo.

I agree with you Prince Ngqondo.

If umhlahlo finds the Queen guilty,

she'll face consequences.

Thank you.

(Mfunda) Stop the negotiations?

Are you mad, Nandi?

My child, you must prepare for your new life

as the Queen of eMazimeleni.

I don't love Prince Ndabezimbi.

Give yourself time you'll grow to love him.

I don't think I will.

Besides,

my heart has found happiness.

-Senzangakhona. -Did this boy bewitch you?

You can't choose who your heart wants.

The heart chooses for itself.

You're being childish.

Your duty is to ensure the wellbeing of the people of eLangeni.

(tense music)

(Mudli) We, Zulu, come in peace.

We have a message from King Jama to deliver to King Langa.

(Guard) What bad timing, Zulu.

King Langa is dead.

(Zwide) Who are these people?

What now Zulu?

-Here to finish what you started? -No.

Not so, Ndwandwe.

We're here to put out the fire that one of us started.

And to renew our ancient treaties.

Firstly, Zulu,

you're the ones that broke the treaty by killing one of us.

Return to kwaNobamba with this message,

the new treaty says,

an eye for an eye.

Bring those people here. Bring them to me.

Zwide!

(Zwide grunting)

Listen here, Zulu.

Go back and tell your people that I said,

Senzangakhona started the fire.

The Ndwandwe spear will not discriminate.

It will penetrate a child a woman and a man.

(dramatic music)

DOWNLOADED FROM WWW.AWAFIM.TV

For latest movies and series with subtitles Visit WWW.AWAFIM.TV Today