African streaming service Showmax has set a release date and unveiled the first trailer for “Twende,” its inaugural 2D animated series.
“Twende” follows a pangolin named Twende, known as the slowest-moving creature on the savannah. The pilot episode was screened in competition at Annecy in 2021, and international sales for the series are managed by MultiChoice Studios, who will present it at Mipcom.
“Twende” grapples with the belief that “life is about the journey, not the destination,” which constantly clashes with his role as a boda boda (motorbike taxi) driver in the bustling fictional East African city of Milima, according to South African showrunner Greig Cameron. Cameron has previously worked on “Seal Team,” which made the Netflix global Top 10 film list in January last year, and the popular soccer animated series “Supa Strikas.”
Twende is voiced by Junior Nyong’o, known for “The Legend of Lwanda Magere,” and his best friend and navigator Nuru is played by June Gachui, who starred in “Crime and Justice.” The character Boss, the perennially broke and exhausted hyena who owns the boda boda agency, is voiced by Elsaphan Njora (“Super Sema”).
The all-Kenyan voice cast also includes Charles Ouda, Mkamzee Mwatela, Nyokabi Macharia, Joyce Musoke, and Khaemba W. Edward.
While “Twende” doesn’t directly address poaching, it brings awareness to the pangolin’s endangered status, as they are one of the most trafficked animals in the world.
Kenyan executive producer Kwame Nyong’o stated, “It’s such a shame that this is happening to this amazing and unique animal. ‘Twende’ is a super silly show, but we hope that, between all the humor and all the hijinks, our audience will fall in love with pangolins as much as we have and do their part to help protect them.”
“Twende” was created by Charlie and Regan Maas and is produced in partnership with London-based Braintrust and Johannesburg-based Mind’s Eye Creative. The series features co-creators Mike Scott and Kayla Archer from South Africa and a diverse writing team including Zambian Malenga Mulendema, Nigerian Vanessa Kanu, Kenyan J. Njogu Macharia, and South African head writer Sheldon Bengtson. The music includes original compositions by Eric Musyoka and a score by South African music studios The Music Works, Phonographic, and Pressure Cooker Studios.
“Twende” will premiere on Showmax on December 4, with new episodes being released on Saturdays.
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