The South African trailblazers seeking to change how wildlife documentaries are made
In the heart of South Africa, a dynamic duo, Pragna Parsotam-Kok and Noel Kok, are on a mission to revolutionize wildlife documentaries. Their journey began in 2015 when they embarked on a wildlife series for South African TV, only to encounter a startling reality: the scarcity of African wildlife documentary makers and the challenges in accessing animals for filming. This realization sparked a transformative endeavor.
The couple established the Nature Environment and Wildlife Conservation Trust (NEWF), a not-for-profit organization, and organized the first African Wildlife Filmmakers Conference in 2017. However, their passion project took an unexpected turn in 2018 when they struggled to find African underwater filmmakers for a panel discussion on oceans. This led to the realization that many marine biologists on the continent lacked scuba diving skills.
In response, the Koks initiated NEWF's first dive 'lab' in 2019, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey. The program attracted nearly 400 fellows from 37 African countries and 13 more in the global south, all united by a shared vision: to reshape wildlife documentaries. Noel Kok humorously noted the rarity of black African nature, environment, and wildlife filmmakers, emphasizing the authenticity and completeness of the stories they aimed to tell.
The impact of NEWF's efforts is profound. Over 200 divers have been trained in Sodwana Bay, home to Africa's southernmost tropical coral reefs. Simultaneously, hundreds of fellows have honed their wildlife filmmaking skills on land at Bayala, a private game reserve. NEWF's commitment to excellence extends beyond diving; they've introduced composition workshops to enhance the musical backdrop of their documentaries.
In 2021, NEWF's efforts paid off when the music for a National Geographic film about Botswana's Okavango Delta, composed by NEWF fellows, won the Best Original Score at the Jackson Wild film festival. This triumph marked a significant milestone, surpassing Hans Zimmer's score for David Attenborough's 'Frozen Planet II'.
The Koks' journey took an emotional turn when they met Silindile Mbuyazi, a local diver who embarked on a quest to find her brother's body, which had drowned in Sodwana Bay. Mbuyazi's journey led her to discover a new world, including a green turtle she recognized as her grandmother, who had passed away in 2010. This transformative experience inspired her to teach diving with NEWF, leading to the establishment of eKhaya, a dive and filmmaking center on her grandmother's land.
eKhaya, meaning 'home' in Zulu, opened its doors in November 2023, offering an editing suite, a 3.5-meter dive pool, and 12 rooms for fellows. The center buzzed with activity, from traditional Zulu officials to musicians rehearsing for a National Geographic Explorers festival performance. Local interns, once non-swimmers, were now learning to dive, contributing to projects ranging from volunteering with elderly locals to rock pool research.
The Koks' influence extends beyond eKhaya. They are negotiating new National Geographic funding, envisioning the purchase of a dive boat and the construction of a six-person fellows' house in Bayala. Ethiopian filmmaker Elshadye Berhanu, a NEWF resident, praised the program's impact, citing her newfound understanding of the cheetahs' story and the joy of capturing it on film.
As NEWF continues to shape the landscape of wildlife documentaries, their impact resonates far and wide. From training divers and filmmakers to fostering cultural connections, the Koks' dedication to authenticity and storytelling is transforming the industry. Their journey is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the boundless potential of African storytelling.
