This year, Netflix introduced numerous projects from the African continent in various stages of production. Two South African Originals, Queen Sono and Blood & Water will both make a return for second seasons. The streaming service also announced another young adult title, Jiva! (SA) and the Untitled Akin Omotoso project from Nigeria.
“For so long, our stories were told by people who found us interesting but had no idea what we looked like, what we really sounded like, or the lengths of our capabilities,’’ says South African Actress, Pearl Thusi on a not-so-normal Monday morning in Johannesburg, South Africa where 18 African creatives were brought together to celebrate a change in times.
Chi Mhende, Zimbabwean actress and star of Queen Sono, believes “in order to appreciate great content, you don’t have to be from just one corner of Africa, or the world” – which Kunle Afolayan, famed Nigerian actor and filmmaker, reiterates saying “ I strongly believe in collaboration. I strongly believe in collaboration. I believe in pan-Africanism. It starts here”.
Mo Abudu, a lauded female powerhouse, producer and director in Nigeria’s Nollywood industry echoes Pearl’s statement adding.
“I’ve said it time and time again. Africa has remained creatively silent for centuries. It’s important that we are able to tell our stories and it is important to tell our stories in collaboration with global organisations such as Netflix.”
Malenga Mulendema, Zambian writer and creator of Mama K’s Team 4, Netflix’s first Animation series shares Abudu’s sentiment saying, “It’s bigger than me. Our stories are more powerful when they are told by multiple African creatives”.
Kenyan-born Dorothy Ghettuba, who leads African Originals for Netflix, emphasises that “our aim at Netflix is to have stories that are made by Africans to be watched by the world. We are focused on giving our consumers in Africa, and globally, authentic African content. Having all of these incredible voices in the same room, and on the same platform going forward, is something to celebrate.”
Furthermore, Netflix has licensed more content from across the continent including Kalushi (South Africa), King of Boys (Nigeria), Potato Potahto (Ghana), Resgate (Mozambique) and Cook Off (Zimbabwe). ‘’Great stories come from anywhere in the world and be loved everywhere and Africa is full of incredible stories that we finally get to share with the world,” states Nigerian-born Ben Amadasun, Director of Content Acquisition and Co-Productions for Africa. Ben continues “we have a wealth of fables that have been passed down from generations and Netflix has a great opportunity to bring those stories to the forefront, which will resonate all over the world.’’
There can be little doubt that 2020 is the year that African stories and creatives captivate a global audience. South African Director and Showrunner, Nosipho Dumisa, expresses the power of the moment perfectly explaining, “For us to be together in one space, on one platform, telling our stories for our people and being the ones in charge of everything, from creative direction to how we get it together – is incredibly special.” Picture: Pearl Thusi/Instagram
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