SASHA

The South African Super Hero Alliance is a multicultural, multiracial group of superhumans operating with loose enforcement powers amidst the fifteen member nations of the South African Development Community (SADC). After the Republic of South Africa joined the SADC in 1994, the nation sought approval of the other member nations to fund, staff, and empower a group of native metahumans to help protect the people of South Africa from threats and crises. SASHA was formed in 1997, and has been working to protect the region ever since.
Headquartered out of Gabrone, Botswana, the group has a rotating roster of over twenty heroes with at least one for each member nation in the SADC. Team members receive a modest stipend and other perks, though all are selected for their altruism, integrity, and willingness to promote the dream of a safer, more unified Africa. Critics claim SASHA is the first stage of a plan to place the whole of the southern part of the continent under one supers-backed regime, but there is no evidence of this. In fact, efforts to remain apolitical, concentration on member-nation sovereignty, and encouragement of diplomatic solutions whenever possible, mean the group occasionally draws ire for not doing enough to deal with unrest, border wars, and other problems.
Despite various problems and occasional bureaucratic limitations, SASHA is as generally well regarded in southern Africa as they are relatively unknown elsewhere. Chief among their members is Aardebroer (Earth Brother) and Vuurbroer (Fire Brother), two brothers from the Republic of South Africa who wield two of the fabled Jewels of Elemental Power in the form of matching rings. Their relationship often comes as a surprise to those meeting them as Aardebroer is white Dutch Afrikaans and Vuurbroer Is the Zulu-descended African son of a prominent African National Congress member. The two are childhood friends and members of SASHA since its founding, having grown from idealistic teens to veteran heroes over nearly two decades.
In addition to Aardebroer & Vuurbroer the following members are currently active with SASHA:
Prime Detective Botswana’s mutant super-sleuth who possesses a number of superhuman senses she uses to solve mysteries. She is considered one of the greatest investigators in the world.
SOL SOLDADO (SUN SOLDIER) Solar-powered Angolan who can channel the sun’s rays into strength, a protective field, and other effects. A former child soldier before gaining his powers, he is devoted to stopping the exploitation of children. This crusade sometimes brings him into conflict with various political interests.
CHUI BWANA (LEOPARD LORD) Former Congolese football star who was kidnapped and transformed into a humanoid leopard by SHADOW geneticists. Immensely popular in his native country despite his bestial appearance, he is captain of the All-African Superhuman Football Team, which plays exhibition and charity matches with similar teams worldwide. He has no connection with the Leopard King, a villain from the 1960s who once fought the White Lions of Dakana.
MPHAMVU (STALWART) Malawai hero who goes by the Chichewa translation of his first name, Stalwart. A distant cousin of the current president of Malawi, he is a patriot and widely considered one of the most upstanding and incorruptible members of SASHA. He gained his powers of low-level superhuman strength and near invulnerability while he was a young man working as a policeman trying to stop illegal dumping of chemicals inside his nation’s borders.
VAHINY (GUEST OR STRANGER) Vahiny is a mighty, alien warrior who can fly and shoot “Infra-beams” from his eyes. His ship crashed off the coast of Madagascar years ago and he hasn’t been able to return home... though not for lack of opportunities. He has adopted the nation and its people as his own and uses his powers and technology to protect them.
ZINGIZI (BEE OR CARPENTER BEE) Zingizi takes her name from a species of bee common in Zimbabwe. She is a super-genius who uses her insect-themed powersuit and helper robots to protect her country. She is still inexperienced, but has already found a place in SASHA due to her technological skills.