South African kids can now enjoy Cartoon Network shows in isiZulu
South African kids can now enjoy their favourite animated heroes in isiZulu, thanks to Warner Bros. Discovery
Image: Warner.Bros
Warner Bros. Discovery is giving South African kids a reason to smile as some of their favourite animated heroes are now speaking isiZulu.
In a move that blends global storytelling with local culture, the company has begun dubbing popular Cartoon Network and Cartoonito shows into South Africa’s most widely spoken home language.
Beloved titles such as The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball, Teen Titans Go! and Batwheels are rolling out in isiZulu, supported by new local voice talent and multilingual greetings across the channels.
Johannesburg-based localisation studio EarCandy led the dubbing process, ensuring the translations captured both linguistic accuracy and cultural nuance.
“Our role was to ensure that the shows were authentically localised, from translation to voice recording, while maintaining the integrity of the original content,” said Louise Callcott‑Stevens, CEO of EarCandy.
“By combining linguistic accuracy with cultural nuance, we make sure the dubbed versions look and sound just like the originals.”
Warner Bros. Discovery has also introduced new local voices, such as Paballo Koza and Siya Ngxambuza, as the new official voice‑over artists for the channels.
Meanwhile, Cartoonito’s hosts, Nito & his friends, now greet viewers in eight languages, English, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi, Setswana, Sesotho, and SiSwati, covering the first language of nearly 90% of South African homes.
Their presence ensures that promos and on‑air branding feel closer to home, adding a layer of authenticity that resonates with audiences. These everyday greetings make the channels feel more familiar and welcoming, while laying the groundwork for future expansion into additional African languages.
Cynthia Gonçalves Afonso, Warner Bros. Discovery senior manager for Kids Channels said by introducing local languages into their kids’ channels, they were not only making their content more accessible, but also ensuring it stays relevant to the everyday lives of South African families,” said Gonçalves Afonso.
“Language is a powerful connector, and by offering beloved shows in isiZulu and adding multilingual on‑air greetings, we’re helping make everyday moments on Cartoon Network and Cartoonito feel more familiar and inclusive,” added Gonçalves Afonso.
The rollout builds on Cartoon Network’s strong reputation in South Africa. It was recently voted the #1 Coolest Kids’ Channel, while Cartoonito ranks as the top kids channel in the DStv Family package.
With isiZulu dubbing and multilingual greetings, Warner Bros. Discovery is not only celebrating cultural inclusivity but also future‑proofing its content for the next generation of African viewers.