Zambia’s First Original African Animation Series Makes its Exciting Debut on Netflix

Netflix premiered its first original African animated series on Thursday, with the creator expressing hope that it would open doors for more productions from the continent. Titled “Supa Team 4,” the show is set in a futuristic version of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, and follows the story of four teenage girls who become undercover superheroes after being recruited by a retired secret agent to save the world. Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema, in a statement to AFP, shared her excitement about the show and praised the talented team behind it from Africa and beyond.

“We hope ‘Supa Team 4’ will not only entertain viewers, but also attract more investment and collaborations, ultimately fostering growth in the industry,” said Mulendema.

Mulendema developed the series after participating in a pan-African talent search conducted by animation studio Triggerfish, where she emerged as one of the winners in 2015.

When the show was announced in 2019, Mulendema emphasized that she chose to set the story in her home country to demonstrate that anyone, regardless of their background, can be a superhero. Zambian singer Sampa the Great, who contributed to the theme song, expressed her excitement on Instagram, stating, “(Animation) series shaped our childhoods, and it’s amazing to see young Zambians witnessing something they’ve never seen on TV before.”

In recent years, Netflix has made a significant effort to diversify its production beyond the United States, achieving success with series like the Spanish hit “Money Heist” and the South Korean dystopian drama “Squid Game.” In April, the company announced plans to expand its operations in Africa and provide “more African storytellers an amplified voice on the global stage.”