Netflix launches first original animated series from Africa

Netflix to Release Its First Original African Animated Series The streaming giant revealed plans for its new series, 'Mama K's Team 4,' on Tuesday. Netflix, via Twitter 'Mama K's Team 4' was created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema and designed by Cameroonian artist Malcolm Wope. The series will follow four teenage girls living in Zambia, tasked with saving the world. Malenga Mulendema, via statement Melissa Cobb, Netflix VP of original animation

Netflix is adding to its ever-growing list of original shows with its first animated series from Africa.

"Mama K's Team 4" is produced by Cape Town-based Triggerfish Animation Studios and leading London-based kids' entertainment specialist CAKE.

“Mama K’s Team 4” is about four teen girls living in the neo-futuristic African city of Lusaka, Zambia, who are recruited by a retired secret agent still committed to saving the world.

Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema, who was one of eight winners in the Triggerfish Story Lab initiative in 2015, is the creator of “Mama K’s Team 4.”

Credit: HEAVY

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Credit: HEAVY

The series was created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema, who was one of eight winners in the Triggerfish Story Lab initiative in 2015, a Pan-African talent search.

Mulendema grew up watching cartoons on TV and found herself asking why no heroes looked like her and why they didn't live in a world that felt like her own, Netflix said in announcement on their site.

“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. Most importantly, I want to illustrate that anyone from anywhere can be a superhero,” she said.

" ‘Mama K's Team 4’ has the potential to give a whole new generation of African children the opportunity to see themselves on-screen in the powerful, aspirational characters they look up to,” said Melissa Cobb, vice president of original animation at Netflix.