You’re not late if you haven’t started listening to Netflix’s first African podcast; you’re simply on African time. In 2018, Netflix released its first podcasts. You Can’t Make This Up was created as a way for viewers to interact with some of the largest Netflix shows’ creators, actors, and collaborators. Netflix began as a discussion forum for Netflix workers to discuss their job and experiences with the firm. This original service morphed into several podcasts, many of which focused on popular shows. The streaming platform debuted its first African podcast at the beginning of May. Never Late | African Time is a five-episode podcast hosted by Andy Maqondwana of Kaya FM and Zweli Mbhele of 947 Radio. It showcases some of Africa’s most recognised on-screen talent.

 

 

 
Hosts of ‘Never Late | African Time’ Andy Maqondwana and Zweli Mbhele.

Maqondwana recalls, “We both worked at 94.7 and we always claimed we were going to do a show together.” It was a pleasant surprise to learn that Mbhele would be auditioning with her, and they’ve made the most of it since. The first thing I noticed when speaking with the duo on Zoom was their comfortable rapport and joyful laughter. It’s obvious that they get along swimmingly. “It makes it that much easier when you get to work with someone as professional, talented, and amazing as Andy,” Mbhele says of his co-host. “And you say to yourself, I’m such a big fan of your work, so I’m going to give it my all in that atmosphere.” We were always pushing each other.”

WHAT TO EXPECT

Never Late | African Time uncovers the tale behind the storytellers, whether they’re writers, directors, producers, or performers, and exposes what the African continent has to offer in terms of Netflix titles. “It’s a venue for us to capture our continent’s entertainment industry and, more importantly, to convey their stories,” Maqondwana says. “You see the movie or series, and then you see them on the red carpet [talking] about the production, but you never get to talk to them about their professions.” Each episode has a different collection of guests. Maqondwana and Mbhele are joined by South African comic Celeste Ntuli and Kunle Remi, one of Nollywood’s biggest performers, in the first episode, Comedy.

The two exchange experiences about life, their first jobs, and working in comedy in what turns out to be a laugh-out-loud-in-your-kitchen episode in what essentially unfolds as a discussion. The Future is Female, Kings & Queens, and The Typecast Effect are the titles of subsequent episodes. Listeners are introduced to some of the continent’s up-and-coming talent. “They speak to young people who don’t know how to break into the industry, who don’t know what their next step is, who are a little bit afraid,” Mbhele explains. “Having these wonderful creators on the podcast and being exposed to how fearless they are and how they’re living their truth was very interesting,” he says.

The Legends, the final episode in the series, was dedicated to the industry veterans people grew up watching on screen: Nandi Nyembe, Connie Chiume, and Israel Matseke Zulu, and ended the season on an emotional note. “Some people have been in this industry for so long and they’re such custodians and such workers in the entertainment industry that it’s easy for them to silence themselves as human beings and commit themselves to the art and the projects they’re in, but it was great to see and hear them as just human beings, as people who are in the industry having their personal experiences,” Maqondwana says.

LOOKING FORWARD

Mbhele and Maqondwana hope to continue with future seasons, not only to include more African countries but also to continue shining a light on our incredible talent, according to Mbhele, an expert chart tracker, the podcast made it into the top five in Nigeria and top ten in South Africa, according to Mbhele, an expert chart tracker. “It’ll show a lot of aspiring directors, filmmakers, and performers that this is feasible,” Mbhele says. “It may sound like an old cliché, but ‘you can do it, it is possible,’ but it is true. “I’m ecstatic that so many people will be able to see it.”