
Twende
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
More about Twende

Twende S1
Twende follows the hilarious adventures of Twende and Nuru, two boda boda drivers in the vibrant East African city of Milima.

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.

Twende
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.
More for kids on Showmax

MobLand S1
Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan propel this gripping, gritty crime drama series that follows two powerful families engaged in an intense power struggle.
Big mobs, small jobs: 10 crime series to stream on Showmax
Not everybody can be the Godfather. From MobLand to The Cleaning Lady to Gangs of London, we look at 11 small but essential jobs that take care of the organising behind organised crime.

Must-watch trailer: The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa brings together Housewives from across the continent, landing on Showmax on 28 November 2025.

Showmax Premier League weekly watchlist: 14-22 October 2025
Stream every Premier League and PSL game on your mobile device live on Showmax Premier League.

IdeaCandy docuseries Unspoken War looks to start a national conversation
Unspoken War lands on Showmax in full on 12 November 2025, and on M-Net weekly on Wednesdays from 12 November. Produced by iEmmy nominees IdeaCandy.

Black Bag (2025)
Michael Fassbender faces the ultimate test of loyalty in espionage movie Black Bag, about a spy whose wife might be the mole he's tasked to find.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (2024)
The epic anime prequel to The Lord of the Rings franchise. Hera, King Helm's daughter, must lead the fight against an enemy seeking vengeance.

Creating The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Anime director Kenji Kamiyama and Oscar-winning screenwriter-producer Philippa Boyens chat about how the LOTR trilogy team reunited to turn back the clock in Middle-earth.
Add these top-notch Kenyan shows to your watchlist

Life coach Ofentse represents Mzansi in The Mommy Club NBO
South African Ofentse Tsipa talks motherhood, marriage and being part of Kenya's edition of The Mommy Club, now streaming on Showmax. Catch new episodes every Friday.

Missed the 11th AMVCAs? Watch the awards on Showmax
Showmax will stream the full broadcast of the 11th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards from 14 May 2025.

Where to watch The Real Housewives franchise online
Showmax is the home of The Real Housewives, giving an inside look at the lives of these glam women from Durban, Abuja, Lagos, Joburg, Nairobi and more. Plus, go on vacation with The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip!

International Women's Month: Powerful storytelling on Showmax
In celebration of International Women's Month, here are must-see shows with strong women, available to stream on Showmax.
Love animals? Try Jay Jay: The Chosen One
Jungle Beat - fun for the whole family
Latest Stories

Bafana Bafana composed for Durban showdown against Zimbabwe

Arsenal and Liverpool early front-runners ahead of Premier League international break

Married at First Sight's Portia Baloyi on the reunion and her ex
Must-watch trailer: Slay Queens doccie coming to Showmax

The Premier League canvas: a Saturday masterpiece painted in blue and red

Relebogile Mabotja to host the two-hour Married at First Sight reunion special

South Africa in third place at International Emmys, with four MultiChoice nominations

What to watch on Showmax in October 2025

The clash of the new number 9s: Gyökeres vs Woltemade

Married at First Sight: Themba on his "stunning" wife Nelisa

June Squibb wins Best Actress award at age 95 for Thelma

Red vs Blue: Showmax Premier League serves up a blockbuster weekend

Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue

Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr chat about Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

Where to see the cast of Levels on Showmax

From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham

Mhlongo's bold prediction: Pirates to clinch MTN8 Title for a fourth year running

Glory awaits: From MTN8 Kings to Manchester's Crown, football's biggest stage is on Showmax

Art, money and power: a blueprint for The Brutalist

Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants

Rianza Snyman on Vaal Riviera and being a stay-at-home mom

The best Premier League signings of 2025's summer window

SA siblings’ debut film chosen for BFI London Film Festival

Simo Magwaza on his challenging role as De Klerk in Youngins