Kudakwashe "Kudi" Maradzika, a Zimbabwean-born screenwriter, actress, and producer, has achieved significant success with her Netflix series Bad Influencer. The show, which reached number three on Netflix's Global Top 10 list for English-language television programmes, was inspired by Maradzika's own experience as a fitness influencer. She created the series to explore the world of social media aspiration, designer labels, and counterfeit goods. Maradzika's success with Bad Influencer has led her to establish Lincoln Green Media, a television and film production company and intellectual property studio.
Maradzika founded Lincoln Green Media in 2022 after working as an executive producer at Paramount Africa. Her company aims to develop African stories across countries and creative disciplines, with a focus on intellectual property that can be adapted into various formats, such as live-action productions, comic books, and animation. Maradzika believes that African creatives should own their intellectual property and seeks to empower them to produce content that resonates globally. Her approach involves building a supportive network and being self-motivated, essential qualities for entrepreneurs.
One of Maradzika's current projects is Artemis Elixa, an original comic-book property that she is developing with ambitions extending beyond the printed page. She is also working with Cameroon-based Zebra Comics to adapt its flagship comic, Beasts of Tazeti, into animation, in collaboration with a South Korea-based animation partner. This project exemplifies Maradzika's vision for Lincoln Green Media: to develop African stories across borders and creative disciplines, allowing one piece of intellectual property to find audiences in multiple forms.
Maradzika's Lincoln Green Media has been selected as one of the 15 entrepreneurs in the second edition of Création Africa, a multimillion-rand development programme that supports emerging cultural and creative entrepreneurs in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi. The programme, initiated by The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, and the French Institute of South Africa (Ifas), provides mentoring and support to strengthen businesses and prepare them for growth and investment.
As a participant in Création Africa, Maradzika aims to build networks, engage in conversations with potential partners, and explore opportunities for grants and other support to turn her creative concepts into viable productions. She is practical about setbacks, focusing on learning from mistakes and moving forward rather than dwelling on failures. Maradzika's goal is to get things done, and she believes that the programme will help her achieve her objectives.
In five years, Maradzika envisions Lincoln Green Media launching flagship intellectual property in the form of books and animations, and establishing a global division for development and production. Her ambition is to see how far one story can travel, and she is committed to empowering African creatives to produce content that resonates globally. Maradzika's journey, from watching Star Wars as a 12-year-old to becoming a successful screenwriter and producer, is a testament to her dedication and perseverance.
Maradzika's success with Bad Influencer and her participation in Création Africa demonstrate her commitment to promoting African creativity and intellectual property. Her vision for Lincoln Green Media is to become a leading player in the African creative industry, producing content that resonates globally and empowering African creatives to own their intellectual property. With the support of Création Africa, Maradzika is poised to take her company to the next level and achieve her ambitious goals.
Key points
- Kudakwashe Maradzika's Netflix series Bad Influencer reached the top 10 globally, and she now aims to develop African stories across countries and creative disciplines.
- Maradzika's company, Lincoln Green Media, focuses on intellectual property that can be adapted into various formats, such as live-action productions, comic books, and animation.
- Maradzika is one of 15 entrepreneurs selected for Création Africa, a multimillion-rand development programme that supports emerging cultural and creative entrepreneurs in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi.
