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Netflix has released its first original animated series from Africa, which is expected to pave the way for further projects from the region.
“Supa Team 4,” which premiered on Netflix on July 20, follows the story of four teenage girls who become undercover superheroes after being paid to defend the world by a retired secret agent. The story takes place in a futuristic version of Lusaka, Zambia’s capital.
According to Black Wall Street Times, Netflix said in April that it plans to expand its presence across the continent and give “more African storytellers an amplified voice on the global stage.”
Malenga Mulendema, a writer from Zambia and the brain behind the series, said, “I’m excited that the world finally gets to see the fantastic show that the incredibly talented super team, from Africa and beyond, have put together. We hope ‘Supa Team 4’… will lead to further investments and collaborations so we can continue to grow the industry.”
Mulendema had the concept for the show while competing in Triggerfish’s pan-African talent competition, which she won in 2015.
When the program was first announced in 2019, she noted that she opted to base the plot on her native country to “illustrate that anyone from anywhere can be a superhero.”
The voice cast of Supa Team 4 has a remarkable combination of African and foreign talents. The cast also features Zowa Ngwira, John Kani, Kimani Arthur, Nancy Sekhokoane, John MacMillan, Namisa Mdlalose, Ashley Zhangazha, Yinka Awoni, and Thabe Ntebe, in addition to Pamela Nomvete.
Sampa the Great, a Zambian artist and rapper, also joined the voice cast and contributed to the theme song, according to Okay Africa.”(Animation) series shaped our childhoods, and knowing that young Zambians are getting to see what they’ve never seen on TV before is Amazing!!” he wrote on Instagram.
In addition, Linda Sokhulu voices the series’ isiZulu dub’s secret agent, Mama K.
According to Deadline, Malenga Mulendema was just signed by David Neumann’s management agency, Newmation, which represents animators working in film and television.
She joins Newmation after the company signed Ziki Nelson, the creator of the upcoming Disney+ African-themed animated comic book series Iwáj.
