Breaking Down Borders with Paul Modjadji TV series hits its season half-way mark
Paul Modjadji’s 10 country African tour is chronicled in an enthralling new fourteen-part travelogue on SABC 1.
For several week’s Modjadji and his entourage have taken viewers to some of Africa’s top landmarks and historical sites in countries such as Zambia, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria and Namibia. Having hit its half-way mark with the recent Nigeria episode the series still promises more adventures and thrills as they visit the remaining countries such as Senegal, Botswana, Lesotho, as well as two special episodes that take viewers to Croatia and our very backyard of Gauteng in South Africa. The 14-part series culminates with a two-part reunion hosted by Minnie Dlamini.
The documentary follows Modjadji as he explores Africa’s rich youth and dance culture. Each episode serves 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 Paul 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 Paul Modjadji with Sibusiso Mahlangu as director of photography. An established dancer choreographer, theatre maker and newly minted film director, Modjadji directed the award-winning short film “The Deal”.
“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’s producer Wandile Molebatsi.
Modjadji travels with close friends and family — sister Nthabiseng Modjadji, the tour coordinator, Sibusiso Mahlangu a filmmaker 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.
The Breaking Down Borders Africa Series is on SABC 1 on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.