Netflix is marking a decade in South Africa with a new slate of local series and films, as the streaming platform looks to build on a decade of investment in the country’s creative industry.
Job creation
Since launching in South Africa in 2016, Netflix says its local productions have supported more than 8,000 jobs through partnerships with more than 30 production companies. The platform now has more than 300 South African titles available to audiences globally.
The next slate was unveiled at a press showcase in Rosebank, Johannesburg, bringing together Netflix executives, filmmakers and on-screen talent to mark the 10-year milestone and preview upcoming productions across genres including unscripted, thrillers, family drama and comedy.
“Ten years ago, we set out to share South African stories and voices with the world and today, we are proud to strengthen our partnership with the local creative industry and continue creating exciting stories that will entertain our members in South Africa and around the world,” said Ben Amadasun, VP of content for Netflix Middle East and Africa. “Our slate ahead keeps that ambition alive with the addition of established names alongside bold new production partners across genres from unscripted to thrillers, family dramas and comedy.”
Over the past decade, productions including Blood and Water, Young, Famous & African, Unseen, Silverton Siege, Fatal Seduction, Disaster Holiday, How to Ruin Christmas, Beauty and the Bester, Marked, Kings of Joburg, Blood Legacy, The Polygamist and most recently Umthetho have helped put South African stories in front of international audiences.
South African culture
Netflix says productions have been filmed across 20 cities in eight provinces, drawing on local cast and crews while showcasing stories rooted in South African settings and culture.
The reach of those productions has extended beyond the country. Several local titles have appeared on Netflix’s Top 10 lists, with Johannesburg-filmed The Polygamist among the more recent successes. The series generated more than 24 million views in its first weeks, reaching the Top 10 in 62 countries and ranking number one in more than 21 countries.
The series also drove renewed interest in its source material. Based on Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi’s 2012 novel of the same name, The Polygamist saw sales of the book triple following its Netflix debut, more than a decade after its original publication.
With its next slate, Netflix is positioning its second decade in South Africa around both established local talent and new production partnerships, as demand for South African stories continues to extend beyond the domestic market.
