Qubeka and starring Bongile Mantsai, Hamilton Dhlamini, Hlubi Mboya, Mothusi Magano, Warren Masemola, Zolisa Xaluva, Sello Maake Ka Ncube, Thando Thabethe and Faith Baloyi.
As the five tribes gather for the wedding of King Letsha of the Akachi (Mothusi Magano) – a marriage dreamt up by the scheming Queen Assili (Faith Baloyi) to cement her power over the kingdom – his daughter, Princess Zazi (Bokang Phelane), falls pregnant with a baby who’s prophesied to bring about the end of King Letsha’s reign, and the destruction of the Akachi civilization.
The tribe considers itself the inheritors of the virtues of old Kemet and continue the worship its gods, and the Akachi citadel’s architecture and statues reflect these ancient origins.
Blood Psalms' producer Layla Swart Najaar has stated that within the story, the Ku'ua are treated as the forefathers of Southern Africa's Nguni tribes.
[10] Jahmil and Albert Ibokwe Khoza, Blood Psalms’ language and cultural advisor and performance coach (who also plays Madlamini) came up with a specific physical movement for the Chini.
Richard Lukunku, who plays Senator Jabari, describes Great Nziwemabwe as this world’s version of Ancient Rome.
[22] Yellowbone Entertainment's production crew included South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) winners like director of photography Willie Nel (Knuckle City, The Story of Racheltjie de Beer) who won the 2023 Best Achievement in Cinematography SATFA for Blood Psalms,[27] production designer Chantel Carter (Kalushi: The Story of Solomon Mahlangu, Fiela Se Kind, The Story of Racheltjie de Beer), costume designer Pierre Vienings (Tsotsi, Five Fingers For Marseilles, Knuckle City), and prosthetics, hair and makeup designer Nicola Roodt (Sink, Semi-Soet), with Addie Vigario as art director, Gerhard van der Heever (District 9, The Mummy, Queen Sono) as special effects supervisor and Wayne Smith (iNumber Number, From a House on Willow Street, Hard to Get) as stunt coordinator.
Additional production staff included Albert Ibokwe Khoza as cultural advisor and choreographer, and Musa Xokelelo as sculptor.
Scenes featuring The Uchawi druids and stargazers were filmed at Gwadana hill in the Eastern Cape[31] The series was first showcased at the Dubai expo in October 2021.