Netflix South Africa: A Leader in Authentic Storytelling

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Netflix South Africa has demonstrated its commitment to promoting diversity and authenticity in storytelling with its lineup of content for 2023 and 2024. This was made evident during the recent Fame Week 2023 and MIP Africa conference held in Cape Town.

Original Series

One of the most anticipated series is Miseducation, an original production from Burnt Onion Productions. The show captures the essence of South African youth through the journey of university student Mbali Hadebe. It is set to premiere on September 15, 2023. Another highly anticipated release is YOH’ Christmas, produced by Johnny Barbuzano, Tiffany Barbuzano, and Morishe Matlejoane for BBZEE Productions, set to delight viewers in late 2023.

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Returning Favorites

Fans of teen dramas can look forward to the fourth season of Blood and Water and the second season of Savage Beauty in early 2024. Reality series fans can also anticipate the third season of Young, Famous & African, which promises to deliver captivating content.

Feature Films

Netflix’s dedication to South African cinema is further evident in its feature film offerings. Kandasamys: The Baby, the newest installment in the popular Kandasamy film series, will premiere on Netflix on October 20, 2023. The movie is a heartwarming narrative from the imaginative mind of writer and director Jayan Moodley. In early 2024, director Mandla Dube will unveil Heart of the Hunter, a gripping spy thriller, based on Deon Meyer’s novel. This marks the beginning of an exhilarating three-film collaboration between Netflix and Mandla Dube. Also set for release in early 2024 is Soweto Love Story, a romantic comedy set in Johannesburg’s iconic township.

Partnering with Local Filmmakers

Netflix’s commitment to South African storytelling also encompasses forging partnerships with local filmmakers and production companies. Akin Omotoso and Ochre Media have teamed up with Netflix for a multi-title book adaptation partnership, while director Donovan Marsh embarks on a three-film collaboration. Producers Mandla Ngcongwane and Mpumelelo Nhlapo, along with their company Black Brain Pictures, have also formed a partnership with Netflix for both films and series.

Supporting Local Talent

Ben Amadasun, Netflix’s vice president of content for the Middle East and Africa region, expressed excitement for these creative alliances. He emphasized the importance of nurturing local talent and showcasing South Africa’s creative prowess to the world. “These long-term partnerships with local filmmakers have enabled us to uncover unique perspectives and diverse stories from South Africa to entertain our more than 238 million members around the world,” he said.

With its steadfast commitment to investing in South Africa’s creative industry, Netflix continues to be a beacon of diverse and authentic storytelling.

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Zola Naidoo is a Cape Town journalist who chronicles the city’s shifting politics and the lived realities behind the headlines. A weekend trail-runner on Table Mountain’s lower contour paths, she still swops stories in her grandmother’s District Six kitchen every Sunday, grounding her reporting in the cadences of the Cape.

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