The second season of ‘Shanga’ premieres on Wednesday on Maisha Magic Plus (DStv), resuming after a suspenseful finale with heightened stakes.
The narrative once again centres on Ledama (Brahim Ouma), Soila (Foi Wambui), and Kari (Zazira Kariuki), as perilous secrets surface between the remote settings of Lemurat and the vibrant chaos of Nairobi.
Shanga intertwines the lives of these three characters against a backdrop of tradition and modernity, exploring themes of romance, ambition, cultural heritage, love, and self-discovery.
New threats emerge as Naibei (Sam Psenjen) initiates a significant power move, challenging established loyalties and sparking emotional conflict. The show’s producers state that the series will continue to fuse romance with suspense, depicting characters grappling with difficult decisions that could either strengthen their bonds or fracture them.
At a private screening in Nairobi, Executive Producer Njoki Muhoho affirmed an even more intense viewing experience, stating, “This season takes everything you love about ‘Shanga’ to the next level. With unexpected twists, complex relationships, and top-tier production, fans are in for a real treat.”
She elaborated, “Season one was about setting the stage and understanding the story and characters. Season two dives deeper into the characters’ lives, exploring themes like love, hatred, economy, birth, and death—different life passages.” Njoki also noted the production challenges that sometimes necessitated on-the-spot rewrites, adding, “But these moments often led to something beautiful in the story.”
Regarding cultural authenticity, she emphasised, “We were very empathetic about getting the culture and language right. For example, we worked closely with John the elder, who corrected us and ensured authenticity.”
Foi Wambui shared her preparation: “Before shooting, I did my homework for two to three weeks with someone teaching me basic Maasai signs so that I could perform confidently on set.” Another cast member added, “Repeating small words helped my tongue get into the flow of the accent, making it much easier.”
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