Supa Team 4 Review: Netflix’s new show is its first African animated series. Directed by Malenga Mulendema, the voice actors include Zora Ngwaba, Namisa Mdlalos, Kimani Arthur, and Nancy Sekhokoan as the four leading teenage ladies, along with Pamela Nomvete and John Macmillan. The show has been written by Malenga Mulendema, Vanessa Kanu, Gloria Huwiler, and Maame Boateng. It has a total of 8 episodes of around 22 to 25 minutes each. The animation has been done by Superprod Animation.
Supa Team 4 is a true-to-form African show that celebrates the rich culture of Africa while incorporating a superhero angle that will be loved by not just kids but their parents too. It was Zambian writer Malenga Mulendema’s own experiences while growing up in Lusaka that inspired her to write the series. Speaking of which, it has been dubbed in isiZulu for South African audiences as well. All things combined, I have to admit that it is a beautiful show with great representation that challenges the African stereotypes in mainstream entertainment.
Netflix Supa Team 4 Review May Contains Spoilers
Supa Team 4 Review: Plot Summary
While each of the eight episodes takes our 4 girls, namely Zee, Monde, Temwe, and Komana, on a different adventure with different morals, all the episodes together make for a single plot dealing with a sinister main villain who wants to bring an end to the city of Lusaka, Zambia. After they are hired by a cool old lady, Mama K, who realizes their potential, they receive new suits that heighten their natural talents and help them fight the baddies.
In each episode of Supa Team 4, there is a new objective that the girls have to accomplish that may not have to deal with a different baddie necessarily but daily tasks that they will have to take care of to understand the importance of being a team. These daily tasks, in turn, help them fight the villains, including Alley-Gator, who is a man croc, Storm Drain, a guy who can control the climate, Locust Pocus, a guy who controls swarms of mechanical locusts and Professor Greenthumbs (imagine her to be the show’s Poison Ivy).
Alongside fighting evil, the girls also have to take care of their studies as well as deal with personal problems. In all this, Mama K helps them manoeuvre through. She, too, is a former spy with a past and her share of secrets which are the reason why she quit her job. But it is with the help of these girls that she can again protect her beloved city. But for how long?
The mysterious masked villain will stop at nothing to get to the girls, and the final episode shows the girl finally being trapped by him, thereby promising a Season 2 of the show. He is looking for something called Zambinite (from the word “Zambia”), which sounds like some kind of rock (like Kryptonite) which will probably make him stronger. Does Lee Magedzee, owner of Magedzee Power Corporation, really want to destroy the city, or does he want to take over it?
Supa Team 4 Review: Discussion
The first thing that appeals is the animation and the use of colour, which will surely help the kids remember who’s who. Moreover, each of the girls is good at some form of extracurricular activities, and how these played a vital role in Mama K recruiting them, upholds the importance of these activities in the lives of kids. One can say such activities give them powers that will serve as an easy way to convince kids to take part in them, like archery, football and majorette.
Then, we have the morals of Mama K, which stress the importance of being together and team spirit. In every episode, the girls learn something new. These include not being prideful, not making fun of others, helping each other in need and to grow, and many more. The way the story brings together two contrasting facets, of being a human and being a superhero, is commendable. Even the villains are a way to teach the kids to care for animals (Alley-Gator), and plants (Professor Greenthumb) and keep the environment clean (the waste man).
Personally, it is the revelation of the villain at the end of Episode 8 that, though predictable, adds to the plot’s strength. A guy who introduced himself as someone who wants to make Lusaka a better place by developing it in sustainable ways turns out to be the very guy who wants to destroy it. Or does he? With this cliffhanger, the makers manage to keep the excitement stable in the viewers until Season 2 appears. Overall, a great show, without a doubt.
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Supa Team 4 Review: Final Thoughts
Malenga Mulendema has masterfully created a show that adds yet another star to Netflix’s diverse content. Supa Team 4 is attractive and effective. So if you wondering whether you should give it a go with your kid this weekend, do not hesitate. You will have a great time.
Season 1 of the show is now streaming on Netflix.
Did you like the show? Do let us know in the comments below.
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