The world of wildlife documentaries is undergoing a much-needed transformation, and it's all thanks to the trailblazing efforts of Pragna Parsotam-Kok and Noel Kok, a dynamic duo from South Africa. Their journey began with a simple yet powerful realization: the lack of African voices and perspectives in wildlife storytelling.
A Call for Authentic Narratives
In 2015, the Koks embarked on a mission to change the narrative. They founded the Nature Environment and Wildlife Conservation Trust (NEWF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering African filmmakers and scientists to tell their own stories. The couple organized conferences and workshops, bringing together a diverse community of filmmakers and marine biologists from across the continent.
One of the most striking revelations was the scarcity of African underwater filmmakers and the surprising fact that many marine biologists couldn't swim or scuba dive. This sparked the idea for NEWF's first dive "lab," an initiative that has since trained over 200 divers in Sodwana Bay, home to Africa's southernmost tropical coral reefs.
Redefining Wildlife Storytelling
NEWF's impact extends beyond diving. They've trained hundreds of fellows in wildlife filmmaking on land at Bayala, a private game reserve. In 2021, they introduced composition workshops, advocating for music that represents the region and its culture. This initiative paid off when NEWF fellows composed the music for a National Geographic film about Botswana's Okavango Delta, winning the best original score at the Jackson Wild film festival.
A Personal Journey of Discovery
The story of Silindile Mbuyazi, known as Mama Sli, is a powerful testament to the transformative power of NEWF's work. Mbuyazi, a local diver, initially sought to dive in search of her brother's body, who had drowned in Sodwana Bay. However, she discovered a new world beneath the waves, including a green turtle she recognized as her grandmother. Mbuyazi's journey of self-discovery led her to become a diving instructor with NEWF, and her proposal to build a dive and filmmaking center on her grandmother's land became a reality with the opening of eKhaya in 2023.
Empowering the Next Generation
NEWF's impact continues to grow. They currently have 30 interns, their second 12-month cohort, working on self-driven projects that range from volunteering with elderly locals to conducting rock pool research. The Koks are also negotiating new funding from National Geographic, with aspirations to expand their reach and impact.
A New Era of Wildlife Storytelling
The work of NEWF is not just about changing the way wildlife documentaries are made; it's about empowering African voices and perspectives to tell their own stories. As Ethiopian filmmaker Elshadye Berhanu puts it, "Being able to film [the cheetahs' story] from your eyes, it just makes me happy." This sentiment captures the essence of NEWF's mission: to create a platform where African filmmakers can connect with their subjects on a deeper level, resulting in authentic and powerful storytelling.
In my opinion, the work of Pragna Parsotam-Kok, Noel Kok, and their team at NEWF is a testament to the power of diversity and inclusion in storytelling. By empowering African filmmakers and scientists, they are not only preserving the rich biodiversity of the continent but also ensuring that the stories of Africa's wildlife are told with authenticity and respect. It's a movement that deserves our attention and support, as it paves the way for a more inclusive and representative media landscape.
