Two friends have created a proudly South African short animated series designed to make autism awareness accessible, relatable and genuinely helpful to all families and communities. Everybody, meet George!
Johannesburg, South Africa (22 January 2026) – George is an ordinary South African guy. He loves trains, vintage cars, and he has an autistic best friend. After each visit, George goes home with a new crate of information that helps him understand his autistic friend better.
George unpacks every crate, episode by episode. By the end of it, we all learn a little more about autism and how it’s experienced.
George is a good guy. He’s gentle, funny, empathetic – all qualities that make learning fun, easy and memorable.
The short animated series is created by retired advertising designer Derek Logan and his friend, Dr. Emile Gouws.
Derek brings the series to life through animation and voice acting. Dr. Gouws is an international autism self-advocate, postdoctoral research fellow, and representative of neurodiversity at Commonwealth and United Nations level. He draws on research, policy, advocacy, and his own lived experiences to conceptualise the series in a way that makes autism awareness more accessible to everyone.
The two friends came up with the idea over a regular Friday lunch last year.
“My wife, Sammi, and I are both autistic. On Friday afternoons, we often go for lunch at Riverside cafe, where we became part of a wonderful friendship group we fondly call ‘Friday Club’. One of the members of this group is Derek Logan, a retired advertising designer with a lifelong passion for animation. As our friendship grew, Derek began sharing his hobby with me – short animations featuring a character he created called George. One afternoon, Derek sent me a few animations of George enthusiastically talking about trains, and it immediately struck me: George has the perfect voice to explain autism in a way that is simple, human, humorous, and non-threatening,” shares Dr. Gouws.
It’s exactly what the world needs right now. Politics and outdated narratives continue to shape misunderstanding around autism.
“Last year was an especially difficult year for autism awareness globally. Political influences have significantly affected how autism is understood and taught particularly in the Global South and low-to middle-income countries. In many ways, we are nearly 30 years behind where we should be when it comes to acceptance and dignity,” shares Dr. Gouws.
Awareness is vital for dismantling stigma and discrimination, but it’s only effective when it inspires tangible action.
“In South Africa, the need is urgent. We have one of the highest suicide rates among autistic people globally. The average life expectancy of an autistic person in South Africa is approximately 35 years, often due to untreated depression, anxiety, and social exclusion. Unemployment rates are also extremely high, with many autistic individuals sitting at home without purpose or opportunity. Awareness without action is not enough. Inclusion must be lived, practised, and enforced.” shares Dr. Gouws. “That action includes respecting and implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
Unpacking George fills that gap by exploring autism in everyday life, from a relatable South African perspective.
With George, we learn about what autism is and the common misconceptions around it. We gain a better understanding of sensory sensitivities, communication differences, routine and predictability, and emotional regulation. And we learn how to make reasonable accommodations that lead to a more inclusive space.
It all starts with understanding, and there aren’t many local narratives shaping that in a manner that’s easily accessible to everyone.
“I often say that the autism spectrum stays the same across the world, but what differs are lived experiences shaped by culture, tradition, religion, resources, and social systems. George reflects that reality he is proudly African, finding his place in the world, and sharing a story that has long been missing,” says Dr. Gouws.
“What excites me further is that George represents a Global South voice. He comes from a so-called ‘third world’ country and carries a South African accent, perspective, and story into the world. Most autism-related animations reflect Global North narratives, but Unpacking George has the ability to educate the Global North as well,” he adds.
It’s a feel-good project for so many reasons. One that has potential to make a real impact.
Derek – the voice behind George – would never have thought that his lovable character would ever take on such an important and meaningful task.
“The mere fact that a character I created has been given such a responsible task as Autism Awareness, is hugely gratifying. George has never had to carry any weight on his shoulders…now he has purpose! What a great way to get creative every day and have fun doing it!” he says. “Autism Awareness is the objective. Educating people is often factual and academic, so if this series helps in any way to draw attention to the cause and take on the information to help Neurodiverse people, I’ll be delighted. Getting people to pay attention is never easy. So I’m holding thumbs!”
Every episode of Unpacking George will be released by Special Knead Cafe on social media, run by Dr. Gouws and his wife, Sammi. Give them a follow!
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