Internationally acclaimed choreographer, dancer and social entrepreneur Paul Modjadji is on a mission to uncover the hidden beauty and talent of the African continent through a fourteen-part travelogue show.
The adventures can be viewed on SABC 1 as Modjadji and his entourage take viewers to some of the continent’s top landmarks and historical sites.
The 10 country African tour has seen the team uncover gems in Zambia, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria and Namibia.
The documentary series, Breaking Down Borders Africa, recently hit its half-way mark with an episode focused on west African giant Nigeria. There are still more adventures and thrills to be had as they visit the remaining countries such as Senegal, Botswana, Lesotho, and two special episodes that take viewers to Croatia and Modjadji’s backyard of Gauteng in South Africa. The 14-part series culminates with a two-part reunion hosted by television personality Minnie Dlamini.
Each episode follows Modjadji as he explores Africa’s rich youth and dance culture. Viewers are served up a kaleidoscope of experiences showcasing Africa’s leading landmarks and heritage sites through the eyes of youth activists and artists on home soil.
“I am humbled by the positive response that the series is receiving. It has been a labour of love, the team and I couldn’t be more proud that audiences are captivated by the people and places we meet and visit in the series,” said Modjadji who added that the journey revealed an unmatched generosity of spirit: “Our interactions brought into sharp focus just how creative and good spirited us Africans are.”
The series is produced by award-winning producer Wandile Molebatsi and directed by Modjadji with Sibusiso Mahlangu as director of photography.
“The viewer is taken on a journey that depicts the challenges, and excitement, of traveling our continent. Each country offers a window into a people, a country and diverse experiences, landscapes, and cultures. The feedback from this current season has inspired us to explore plans for another season. Viewers must stay tuned as the current series only gets better with each episode. The series promise a crescendo of a finale with a bag of surprises,” said the show producer Wandile Molebatsi.
Modjadji travels with close friends and family; his sister Nthabiseng Modjadji, the tour coordinator, filmmaker Sibusiso Mahlangu and photographer and dancer Ginger Wensky.
The Breaking Down Borders Africa TV series is a fresh take on Africa by Africans. Exploring dance and youth culture, the documentary takes viewers inside the lives of some of Africa’s most inspiring change makers.
Among them are BBC Top 100 Inspirational Women award winner Naomi Mwaura, African Union official Lorato Modongo, and founder of Zimbabwe’s preeminent Jibilika arts festival Plot Makho.
The team encounters firsthand a strikingly developed, breathtakingly scenic and generously welcoming continent. They taste exquisite cuisine, visit iconic sites including the River Nile, Victoria Falls, and Gorée. They meet some of Africa’s towering cultural figures including Kenyan photojournalist Dr Nike Davies-Okundaye and Kenyan socio-political activist Boniface Mwangi among other special treats along the way.
Tune in to the show every Wednesday at 6pm on South Africa’s SABC 1 channel (Available on Channel 191 on the DStv bouquet)
