Episode 1
The epic series Shaka Zulu begins in England. The Zulu Empire under Shaka's leadership is expanding, and the British Colonial Office is forced to find a way to defend the Cape.
Episode 2
Vegte arrives at Shaka's capital, Kwa-Bulawayo and meets Shaka. Another regiment escorts farewell and his men, to the capital. They are given a full tour of Zululand while Shaka assembles his army.
Episode 3
King Jama of the Esiklebeni clan arranges a marriage for his son and heir, Kona. Meanwhile, another father is making arrangements for his daughter, Nandi to marry a man she does not love.
Episode 4
Nandi's family demands recognition for Nandi and her baby, by the Zulu clan. Against tribal custom, Nandi bargains for her own bride price, and is installed by the newly crowned Senzangakona as Royal wife. Shaka, now a young boy, threatens to kill his father, and Mudli, the Prime Minister urges Senzangakona to kill his son.
Episode 5
Shaka has grown into a strapping adolescent and Senzangakona invites him back to the Zulu Royal kraal to assume his position as heir apparent. Shaka accepts, but disrupts the coming of age ceremony and flees for the second time, with warriors pursuing him.
Episode 6
Shaka is deep in the Nkandla forest, seeking a forger of spears to craft his new weapon. Later, Shaka returns to the regiment and manages to convince the king that his method is worth trying.
Episode 7
Farewell and his men become Shaka's guests. Shaka is severely wounded during an assassination attempt and Fynn saves his life. In gratitude Shaka gives land and permission to hunt for ivory to Farewell. However in Cape town both Shaka and Farewell are both proclaimed dead.
Episode 8
Farewell and his men establish Port Natal on the coast. However, the men are restless and wish to return home. Shaka then forces them to join him in a war against another tribe. He uses them and there cannon to force the enemy into making the first move. This results in an overwhelming victory for the Zulus.
Episode 9
The Swallows are burying their dead and express their unease at being isolated. Farewell and the Zulu delegation arrive in Cape Town where they are imprisoned and maltreated by Somerset.
Episode 10
Nandi dies, sending Shaka into a state of misery and despair. Shaka feels betrayed by the Swallows whose hair-dye youth could not save his mother's life. Shaka also manically punishes his own people, killing men and women who dare to bear children during the year of mourning, destroying entire villages and prohibiting agriculture cultivation.