by Thinus Ferreira
Netflix South Africa today again said that the global streaming service remains committed to "create a diverse range of stories across genres" from South Africa for subscribers and announced new film commissions for 2024 including a romantic comedy Soweto Love Story and a spy thriller Heart of the Hunter that will be directed by Mandla Dube.
Netflix Africa held a panel session today in Cape Town at the Fame Week 2023 and MIP Africa conference where the streamer did a preview of its upcoming programming for the remainder of 2023 and 2024.
Most titles were already announced previously but Netflix SA reiterated its "commitment to variety and authenticity" with a South African slate of local films and series.
Although it was a South African panel and public engagement about South African content, Netflix notably gave the information and press release to American publications including Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety who all published before 16:00, before its PR company Eclipse Communications sent out an email blast with the press release at 16:00 on Monday afternoon to South African media.
The already-known new and returning series from Netflix SA showcased at the event were Miseducation, the new series from Burnt Onion Productions making its debut on 15 September following Mbali Hadebe (Buntu Petse) as a university student.
There's also YOH' Christmas as a new holiday series which will be released in late 2023, produced by Johnny Barbuzano, Tiffany Barbuzano and Morishe Matlejoane for BBZEE Productions.
The teen drama series Blood and Water set in Cape Town from Gambit Films will launch its fourth season in the first quarter of 2024, and the second season of Savage Beauty produced by Quizzical Pictures will be on Netflix in 2024.
Meanwhile production will start soon on the third season of the reality series Young, Famous & African.
Feature film wise the next film in the Kandasamy film series, Kandasamys: The Baby will premiere on Netflix on 20 October from writer and director Jayan Moodley.
Director Mandla Dube is behind the camera for the spy thriller Heart of the Hunter which is based on the novel by Deon Meyer. Heart of the Hunter is the first film that forms part of a 3-film deal between Netflix and Mandla Dube. The film will launch on Netflix in the first quarter of 2024.
Soweto Love Story is a romantic comedy feature set in the heart of Johannesburg's famous township which will also be released on Netflix in the first quarter of 2024.
In terms of local partnerships with filmmakers and production companies Netflix said that it's working with Akin Omotoso and Ochre
Media for a multiple-title books adaptation partnership, as well as with director Donovan Marsh on a 3-film partnership.
Netflix continues to work with Gambit Films on a multi-title partnership across various genres and formats which include series and
films.
With Jayan Moodley Netflix has signed a new 3-film partnership as well which starts with Kandasamys: The Baby which is currently in production.
Stained Glass Productions with Gugu Zuma-Ncube and Pepsi Pokane also has a multi-title book adaptation partnership with Netflix Africa across a variety of genres.
Meanwhile producers Mandla Ngcongwane and Mpumelelo
Nhlapo and their Black Brain Pictures production company also have a Netflix partnership for films and series.
In a supplied quote, Ben Amadasun, Netflix’s vice president of content for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, says "We are incredibly excited to
continue with our investment in South African storytelling and to expand our
relationships with these amazing storytellers".
"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. This is why we’re committed to investing in South
Africa’s creative industry and showcasing the incredible talent the country has
to offer."
