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

Twende S1

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

OriginalMade in Kenya

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.

OriginalMade in Kenya

More for kids on Showmax

How M3GAN 2.0 blurred the lines between human and AI

Allison Williams, Ivanna Sakhno and M3GAN 2.0 writer-creator Gerard Johnstone talk about how the back-and-forth between humans, robots, and AI turned creepy on set.

First

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - Africa on Showmax

Christall dishes on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip

Christall Kay on the drama of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa, and what it was like to reunite with Evodia. All episodes on Showmax.

Original South Africa

M3GAN 2.0 (2025)

Killer doll M3GAN is resurrected to face a new threat: Amelia, a military-grade robot created using M3GAN's technology.

First

The Naked Gun (2025)

In this slapstick comedy reboot, Frank Drebin Jr follows in his father's footsteps to prevent the closure of Police Squad.

First

Must-watch trailer: Brakpan Chronicles: Die mense sê, kom in

Watch the hard-hitting trailer for the two-part documentary series Brakpan Chronicles, premiering on Showmax on Friday, 20 February 2026.

OriginalMade in South Africa

Schalk Bezuidenhout trades stand-up for 9-5 in Die Kantoor

Schalk Bezuidenhout talks about his role as Tjaart in Die Kantoor, the Afrikaans adaptation of The Office, now streaming on Showmax.

Original South Africa

Dino-mite comes in big packages in Jurassic World: Rebirth

Find out about the big three, the movie’s most adorable newcomer, and all your favourites who’re stomping and chomping in Jurassic World: Rebirth

First

Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025)

Scarlett Johansson leads a stellar cast in the seventh instalment in the iconic dinosaur franchise, about a team that needs to extract dinosaur DNA.

First

Add these top-notch Kenyan shows to your watchlist

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills S15 on Showmax

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!

Original

Image of Dr C on the set of Showmax reality show, Real Housewives of Nairobi

Dr. Catherine speaks on flying the Kenyan flag and reuniting with Zena on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - Africa

Dr C opens up about representing Kenya in RHUGT–Africa, reuniting with Zena in Brazil, healing through therapy, and revealing a fun new side.

Original Kenya

Inside ‘Adam to Eve’: Filmmaker Alex Konstantaras on His Bold New Showmax Dramedy

Discover how filmmaker Alex Konstantaras flipped the script on gender roles in the new Showmax dramedy Adam to Eve in this exclusive interview.

OriginalMade in Kenya

Blessing Lungaho, Celestine Gachuhi & Marya Okoth star in gender swap dramedy Adam to Eve

A hilarious gender swap dramedy starring Blessing Lungaho, Marya Okoth, Ellah Maina & Celestine Gachuhi.

OriginalMade in Kenya

Love animals? Try Jay Jay: The Chosen One

Jungle Beat - fun for the whole family

Latest Stories

Sandra Stein makes her debut on Law, Love and Betrayal S2

Albert Pretorius on Die Kantoor, SA’s re-imagining of The Office

What to watch on Showmax in January 2026

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning on Showmax

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’s South African stunts

Die Kwiksilwers (2024)

Mpondoland is the new Mzansi Magic telenovela

Where to see the cast of Mpondoland on Showmax

Angel on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, Jojo and more

Thandolwethu Zondi on his new role in Outlaws S2

Must-watch trailer for Showmax's turbo-charged reality series Volspoed

Fana Mokoena on playing a sangoma in Masinga

Princess Jecoco on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Africa

Tlali returns: Outlaws’ most loved and hated villain is back

What to watch on Showmax in December 2025

Afrikaans adaptation of The Office to premiere in January 

Kealeboga as Buhle on Youngins on Showmax

Youngins' Kealeboga Masango on Buhle's pregnancy shock

Where to see the cast of Outlaws S2 on Showmax

Mamodibe as Buang: The woman behind the warrior in Outlaws

Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor's life story is one of miracles and staggering perseverance, beginning in a setting of abject poverty that few can comprehend.

From Poverty to Purpose: The Redemption of Emmanuel Adebayor: Why Saving Lives Trumps Scoring Goals

Christall on The Ultimate Girls Trip, Evodia and more

“No one wins in war” - Nikki Comninos on Unspoken War

Reney Bouwer gets candid in Showmax documentary Slay Queens

Catch Manchester City v Liverpool live on Showmax Premier League, on Sunday, 09 November 2025 at 18:30 (SAST)

Manchester City vs Liverpool: The Rivalry Reignites

Hakeem Kae-Kazim on Showmax crime thriller Masinga - The Calling

Lehlohonolo Mayeza on Leruo’s battles in Outlaws Season 2

Never miss a beat

Stars we love

Twende

More about Twende

More for kids on Showmax

Add these top-notch Kenyan shows to your watchlist

Love animals? Try Jay Jay: The Chosen One

Jungle Beat - fun for the whole family

Latest Stories

Never miss a beat

Twende

More about Twende

More for kids on Showmax