Khumba, the 3D computer-animated adventure comedy produced by Cape Town-
based Triggerfish Animation Studios, will be released on DVD in English, isiZulu
and Afrikaans in a first for South African film.
The movie is still on the international circuit and has been translated in more
than 20 foreign languages. This is the first time in two decades that an animated
feature is released in Zulu after Disney released a verison of The Lion King in this
African language.
Says Khumba director Anthony Silverston: “Each language brings a whole new
layer of humour and authenticity to the film. It’s been an incredible rewarding
process to have the film translated, and it can now reach a bigger audience than
ever on DVD.’
Included on the DVD are extra features such as the trailer, the music video The
Real Me by well-known South African musician Loyiso Bala, previously unreleased
out takes called “Acting Out’, a character evolution describing the personality of
each of the animals in “The Karoo – A World of Difference’ and a look at the
development of Nora the sheep, voiced by Catherine Tate and titled “Nora, a
great patnersheep’.
Helen Kuun, CEO of Indigenous Film Distribution comments: “Khumba has all the
makings of a classic tale: it’s well told, visually stunning and emotionally
evocative. It’s like The Lion King of the 21st century. To be able to release a 3D
animated film of this quality on DVD in English, isiZulu and Afrikaans is a major
achievement.’
In the isiZulu version of the DVD, Khumba is voiced by singer and actor Siphiwe
Nkosi, best known for his role in SABC1’s Nomzamo; Nora the sheep is voiced by
Gcina Mkhize from Gaz’lam, eKasi and Intersexions; Mama V, the bighearted
wildebeest is voiced by actress and voice artist Jessie Palmer; and gospel star
Neyi Zimu voices Bradley, the insecure ostrich.
The English version features the voices of Liam Neeson, Jake T Austin, Anna
Sophia Robb, Laurence Fishburne and Steve Buscemi, among others; while the
Afrikaans actors who voiced some of the characters include Bettie Kemp, Hannes
Brummer, Rika Sennett, Francois Stemmet, Lochner de Kock.
Presto Post Production did the dubbing of both the Afrikaans and isiZulu versions
of the DVD.
The DVD will be available in retail and rental stores from 3 March.
