The series is based on the story of the king of the Zulu, Shaka (reigned 1816 to 1828), and the writings of the British traders with whom he interacted.

[4] Harmony Gold USA partly funded and distributed Shaka Zulu in spite of the economic sanctions at the time.

Lead actor Henry Cele was an international star, performing in his native South Africa and in the United States as well.

[9] Donald Morris wrote that it was one of the most repeatedly viewed miniseries in North American television at the time having been watched by over 350 million viewers.

[10] Shaka Zulu was broadcast in Singapore on SBC 12 in 1986, in spite of the film's depiction of nudity (which was controversial at the time), and received well by local "arts enthusiasts".