Netflix, the subscription-based streaming service that allows members to watch TV shows and movies on an internet-connected device announced the release of its first African animated series.
The new animated series, Supa Team 4, is set to debut globally on 20 July 2023 as part of Netflix’s Family Summer Line Up.
The new animated series centers on four teenage girls who reside in a futuristic version of Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka. They must juggle their secret identities, battles with supervillains, and the daily problems of teen life when they are chosen by a retired secret agent to help rescue the world. The cast of Supa Team 4 includes John MacMillan, Nancy Sekhokoane, Kimani Arthur, Zowa Ngwira, Namisa Mdlalose, and Pamela Nomvete.
As many would expect of this groundbreaking project, it has Africa written all over it. Created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema who was one of the eight winners of the 2015 Triggerfish Story Lab initiative, a talent hunt for African storytellers, Super Team 4 is produced by South Africa’s Triggerfish Animation Studios and British family entertainment production company CAKE. The cast chosen to voice the script of this fascinating series is also mostly made in Africa. The show is the latest addition to Netflix’s expanding library of original animated shows made for children and families worldwide and distributed to 190 nations by international creators.
“In creating a superhero show set in Lusaka, I hope to introduce the world to four strong African girls who save the day in their own fun and crazy way,” said Mulemdema in a past interview. “Most importantly, I want to illustrate that anyone from anywhere can be a superhero.”
It shouldn’t be too hard to find a way to pay this homegrown production the attention it deserves, if not out of the love for a captivating animation, do it out of curiosity, plus it’s an ideal entertaining and inspirational pass time for the entire family and especially the school kids who’ll be on holiday when Supa Team 4 comes to a screen near you. Tell a friend to tell a friend. It’s Africa to the world with love.