South Africa, 1823. The Zulu Empire, headed by King Shaka, a brilliant but ruthless military strategist, begin to encroach on the British colony of Cape Town. A volunteer cadre of explorers, mercenaries and professional soldiers are sent to Zululand to try to make contact with Shaka and assess the real threat of his army.

The year is 1993, democracy is at hand, and South Africa's townships are burning. Gugu, a sixteen year-old from a Zulu speaking family falls in love with Andile, an eighteen year-old Xhosa youth. Their love is frowned upon by both communities.