Netflix has announced its first animated original series from Africa—Mama K’s Team 4.
Created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema, the series follows four teen girls living in the neo-futuristic African city of Lusaka, Zambia, where they get recruited by a retired secret agent who still strives to save the world. The series’ illustrator is Cameroon’s own Malcolm Wope, who was inspired by 90s R&B; and hip hop girl groups.
Mama K’s Team 4 is yet another addition to Netflix’s growing slate of original animated programming designed for kids and families everywhere.
“In addition to giving African writers a global platform on which to be heard, we are excited to present this powerful and entertaining new animated series that brings Malenga’s incredible and unique vision to life on Netflix,” Melissa Cobb, vice president of original animation at Netflix, says in a statement.
“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.”
For Mulendema, Mama K’s Team 4 is her answer to not seeing heroes who looked and came from a world like hers growing up.
“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,” she says. “Most importantly, I want to illustrate that anyone from anywhere can be a superhero.”
Mama K’s Team 4 is produced by Cape Town’s Triggerfish Animation and CAKE, London’s leading kids’ entertainment company. Mulendema was also one of eight winners in the 2015 Triggerfish Story Lab initiative—a Pan-African talent search.
Both Triggerfish and CAKE have launched a continent-wide search for local female writing talent to join the series’ creative team. “Female writers from Africa who have had their work produced for either TV, film or theatre can find out more about the Writers Lab and how to apply from the careers page of our website, www.triggerfish.com,” Vanessa Ann Sinden, Triggerfish’s development producer, adds.