The South African trailblazers seeking to change how wildlife documentaries are made
In a world dominated by Western narratives, Pragna Parsotam-Kok and Noel Kok, a dynamic duo from South Africa, 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 immense challenges in accessing animals for filming.
This realization sparked a transformative idea. The couple established the Nature Environment and Wildlife Conservation Trust (NEWF), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to addressing these very issues. Their vision was to create a platform for African wildlife filmmakers, fostering collaboration and innovation.
The Koks' passion project took an unexpected turn in 2017 when they organized a conference for African wildlife filmmakers, only to find a surprising gap. They couldn't locate any African underwater filmmakers to speak on a panel about oceans. This discovery led them to uncover a deeper problem: many marine biologists on the continent lacked basic swimming skills, let alone scuba diving expertise.
Determined to address this, the Koks initiated NEWF's first dive 'lab' in 2019, training filmmakers and scientists in scuba diving. This initiative marked the beginning of a movement, as the program expanded to include nearly 400 fellows from 37 African countries and 13 more in the global south. The goal was to empower these individuals to tell authentic stories about Africa's wildlife, filling the void in representation.
One of the most inspiring success stories emerged from this initiative. Silindile Mbuyazi, a local diver, joined the program to find her brother's body, which had drowned in Sodwana Bay. Instead, she discovered a new world, including a green turtle she recognized as her grandmother, who had passed away in 2010. This experience not only brought closure but also a profound sense of self-discovery and love for the ocean.
Mbuyazi, affectionately known as Mama Sli, became a mentor and instructor, teaching diving to NEWF fellows. Her story exemplifies the transformative power of the program. To support their growing efforts, the Koks established eKhaya, a base in Sodwana Bay, offering editing suites, a dive pool, and accommodation for fellows. This facility has become a hub of creativity and learning.
The impact of NEWF extends beyond the training of filmmakers and divers. It has fostered a community of artists and scientists, with NEWF fellows contributing to various projects. Ethiopian filmmaker Elshadye Berhanu, for instance, has gained invaluable experience during her residency, working on films about cheetahs and Mbuyazi. Her passion and dedication exemplify the spirit of the program.
The Koks' efforts have not gone unnoticed. Their work has been recognized with funding from National Geographic, enabling the construction of a dive and filmmaking center in Sodwana Bay. This partnership has opened doors for further growth, with aspirations to purchase a dive boat and build a fellows' house in Bayala. The future holds immense potential for NEWF, as they continue to shape the landscape of wildlife documentaries, ensuring a more inclusive and authentic representation of Africa's natural wonders.
