by Thinus Ferreira
Cartoon Network (DStv 301) has retitled its Howard Fyvie created and produced CN to the Rescue to The Lembwas, with the local South African sitcom which will get a re-airing on the channel's programming line-up from Saturday 18 January at 09:30.
Warner Bros. Discovery had the two season CN to the Rescue on Cartoon Network's YouTube channel and on Cartoon Network a few years ago, and the original local series has now been rebranded as The Lembwas for another airing.
Filmed in Cape Town, The Lembwas is set in a South African household where two teenage brothers, Taps and Garcia, navigate daily life: the one a thrill-seeker, the other a budding scientist whose
experiments have a tendency to go spectacularly wrong.
Add a fashion-forward
mother, a questionably talented uncle who claims Korean rap stardom, and a mischievous
grandmother.
The Lembwas stars André Lembwa, who made his journey from Kinshasa to South
Africa who portrays the entire Lembwa family with each family member having a distinct
personality, accent and quirks.
The 13-episode The Lembwas was created by Howard Fyvie, and was entirely filmed in Brooklyn, Cape Town.
"With The
Lembwas, we've created a show that totally has a specific South
African flavour, but with universal themes at its heart - so hopefully, it
impacts people across the continent and beyond," says producer Howard Fyvie.
"As I and my team have been working on this show, we've often stopped and
reflected on how crazy, zany, and unique this show is. I honestly don't know
anything else with the same sensibilities and comedic instincts as The
Lembwas."
Born in Kinshasa,
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), before moving to South Africa, André Lembwa has a knack for impersonations that span diverse nationalities - from Congolese to Nigerian to South African and beyond.
"As a performer, it's been an
incredible journey to bring these characters to life. From Taps' wild energy to
Garcia's nerdy brilliance, each character represents a part of my experience
growing up in South Africa," he says.
Ana Gonzalez, VP, kids content for southern Europe, APAC, and Africa, in a supplied quote, says "We're beyond
excited to bring The Lembwas to our African audiences".
"It's a
celebration of family, hilarity, and everything unexpected. With its local
cast, local crew, and loads of humour, it's an absolute must-watch."
