Africa’s first superhero: A closer look at Jongo
The world’s first African superhero is preparing to land on television in South Africa’s Jongo. Michael Pickard reports. There are plenty of superheroes to call upon in TV these days. From The Flash and Arrow to Supergirl, Daredevil and the forthcoming Legends of Tomorrow, there’s no shortage of characters blessed with special powers and ambitions to save the world. But now there’s a new hero in town. Step forward Jongo… Produced by Johannesburg-based film and TV studio Motion Story, Jongo is described as the world’s first mainstream African superhero television show. It tells the story of Eli King, a young man who acquires an array of supernatural abilities thanks to an alien crystal found in a cave at the Cradle of Humankind. The stone is left to him by his father, an enslaved miner who is murdered shortly after escaping. As Eli tries to deal with the death of his father and find the men responsible, he must also grapple with the powers of the crystal and how it will change his life. However, the men he is hunting have crystals of their own and need Eli’s stone to fulfil an ancient and devastating prophecy that threatens the lives of millions. Production is underway on the first eight-episode season, which is due to debut in February 2016. Amsterdam-based producer/distributor FCCE has signed on to shop the series, which has already been picked up by Etv in South Africa and Ebony Life TV. Gareth Crocker, who has written and co-directs Jongo, says … Continue reading Africa’s first superhero: A closer look at Jongo
