Netflix acquires first African animated series, Mama K's Team 4

The series was produced by South Africa’s award-winning Triggerfish Animation Studios and British kids’ and family entertainment production company CAKE, Variety is reporting.

The series was created by Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema who was one of the eight winners of the Triggerfish Story Lab in 2015.

It follows the story of four teenage girls living in a futuristic version of Lusaka, Zambia, who are recruited by a retired secret agent to save the world. The series is designed by the Cameroonian artist Malcolm Wope.

Netflix and Triggerfish are now collaborating to search for female, African writers to join the creative team for the series.

Mulendema said of her inspiration for creating the series

“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, vice president of original animation at Netflix says:

“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.”