Twende

Made in Kenya

Twende is Showmax's first Original 2D animated series, and the first animation of this quality and scale to be made almost entirely in Africa.

The first Showmax Original 2D animated series, Twende follows a pangolin of the same name, the slowest moving animal in the savannah. Twende’s belief that "life is about the journey, not the destination" is constantly at odds with his job as a boda boda driver in the bustling, fictional East African city of Milima.

Twende is voiced by Junior Nyong'o (The Legend of Lwanda Magere, Hamlet), while June Gachui (Crime and Justice, Nairobi Half Life) plays his unlikely best friend and navigator, Nuru - a whip-smart bird who always looks out for her bestie, even if his chilled-out vibe drives her crazy sometimes.

Kalasha Awards nominee Elsaphan Njora (Super Sema, Kati Kati) voices Boss, the perennially broke and exhausted hyena who owns the boda boda agency where Nuru and Twende work. The all-Kenyan voice cast also includes Charles Ouda (Crime and Justice) as showy stunt driver Kimbe and Mkamzee Mwatela (Mali) as Boss’s rival, Madam Mongoose, CEO of the evil tech empire Goober. Also listen out for Kalasha Awards winner Nyokabi Macharia (Super Sema), Joyce Musoke (Second Family) and seasoned voice actor and director Khaemba W. Edward (Ogas at the Top, The XYZ Show).

Produced by London-based Braintrust and Johannesburg-based Mind’s Eye Creative, Twende is co-created by Charlie Maas, Kayla Archer, Mike Scott and Regan Riskas Maas, with Greig Cameron (Seal Team, Supa Strikas) as the showrunner.

Twende’s pilot screened in competition at Annecy, the world’s premier animation festival, in 2021. MultiChoice Studios is handling international sales.

The first 2D animated show of this scale and quality made almost entirely in Africa, Twende is now streaming on Showmax.

Slow down and enjoy the ride.

Join the conversation: #twendeshowmax

Watch it now

Eric Musyoka on creating music for Twende

How Eric Musyoka brought gengetone and rhumba to Twende

Eric Musyoka created original music for Twende, Showmax's first 2D animation, incorporating Kenyan music genres gengetone, rhumba and benga.

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Twende S1

Twende follows the hilarious adventures of Twende and Nuru, two boda boda drivers in the vibrant East African city of Milima.

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Junior Nyong'o on his voice acting role in Twende

Junior Nyong'o lends his voice to the lead character in the Showmax Original 2D animation landing on 1 December 2023.

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Nuru (June Gachui) and Twende (Junior Nyong'o) in the Showmax Original Twende

Twende, the first Showmax Original 2D animation, lands 1 December 2023

Ahead of the launch of the first five episodes of Twende, Showmax's first Original 2D animation, we chatted to showrunner Greig Cameron.

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Twende "sounded like a recipe for fun" - Kwame Nyong'o on new Showmax animation

Kenyan animation pioneer Kwame Nyong'o is the casting director and executive producer of Showmax Original Twende, premiering 1 December.

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Must-watch trailer: meet Twende, the boda boda-driving pangolin

Showmax drops a trailer for Twende, the first Showmax Original 2D animated series. Premieres 1 December 2023.

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