Netflix Launching Its First Original African Animated Series

Mama K’s Team 4, a series co-produced by Cape Town-based Triggerfish Animation Studios and London-based CAKE, is set to be Netflix’s first original African animated series.

The series follows 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. Mama K’s Team 4 was created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema and designed by Cameroonian artist Malcolm Wope. Netflix is collaborating with Triggerfish Animation and CAKE to launch a continent-wide search for local female writing talent to round out the creative team.

Mulendema said: “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.”

Melissa Cobb, VP of original animation at Netflix, said: “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. 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.”

Vanessa Ann Sinden, Triggerfish’s development producer, added: “After animating four multi-award-winning BBC Christmas specials set in England, including the Oscar-nominated Revolting Rhymes, Triggerfish is delighted to bring an African capital city to life on Netflix.”

Tom van Waveren, CEO and creative director at CAKE, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Triggerfish and Netflix on Mama K’s Team 4, a uniquely empowering, but most of all fun project, which brings a fresh perspective to a classic cartoon genre.”