World-renowned choreographer Paul Modjadji believes that Africa is the “cradle of dance.”
This notion has been reinforced during his 10-country African tour where he and his team explored the continent’s youth and dance culture for the local show, “Breaking Down Borders Africa.”
“Having gone on this tour, I am more convinced that we are the innovators of dance and dance culture,” he told Independent Media Lifestyle.
“African youth and dance culture really are front-runners in many ways, we are trendsetters, we are quite innovative and we are originators.”
“So much of what you see implemented and replicated in various parts of the world originated in Africa and that was the thing that I found really fascinating in the dance schools that I visited on the continent.”
The 14-part travelogue documentary, which recently premiered on SABC1, showcases Africa’s leading landmarks and heritage sites through the eyes of youth activists and artists on home soil.
This was a personal project for Modjadji, who was joined by his sister Nthabiseng, a tour coordinator; young film-maker, graphic designer and photographer, Sibusiso Mahlangu and South African-based German- born dancer, Ginger Wensky, on his travels to countries such as Zambia, Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal.
The show culminates with a two-part reunion, hosted by renowned South African actress and TV and radio personality, Minnie Dlamini.
While Modjadji’s illustrious career has seen him working largely behind the camera as a writer and producer, “Breaking Down Borders Africa” has changed that.
“This show was different to all the other projects I have worked on and to date, this is my most vulnerable piece of work,” he admitted.
“I have done a lot of things that are close to my heart and are personal in some way but this show is quite vulnerable because you really get to see me with my family and friends, and viewers will get to have a fly on the wall look at my life.”
“You see me travelling, arriving in different places and waking up in the morning so it’s a little bit personal in that way.”
He added: “As I learnt about the continent, I subsequently learnt about myself so that might be something that sets this project apart from anything else in my career so far.”
Overall, Modjadji described his African travels as “transformative” as he visited many of these African nations for the first time.
“I hadn't really explored the continent and I was keen to explore it on my own terms because so much of what I’d known of Africa was through a transatlantic lens, and there hadn't really been Pan-African content on our channels that really explored Africa in that way and I really wanted a first-hand experience of the continent in my own terms to really understand it as a fellow African.”
And what he found in Africa while filming the show “set his soul alight.”
“It was transformative to learn about the continent and its people, landmarks and history and being able to explore these amazing places was really incredible.”
He and his team were met with the warmth of Africa and its citizens as the documentary was built around the idea of backpacking across the continent. For this reason, they opted against focusing on the usual tourist hotspots.
“We were either staying in people's homes or they would recommend affordable accommodation nearby in order to live like the locals in various places so we got to eat what they ate and really get to see how they live and for me, it was a chance to walk away with the general hospitality of Africans that felt so familiar to me coming from South Africa, which has some of the friendliest people I know.”
Another highlight of being part of the show for Modjadji was to witness Africa’s beauty. “I think what will surprise viewers the most about the show is the beauty of the continent,” he explained.
“As much as Europe has its Eiffel Tower, we have our own monuments and Africa has everything you can think of, from turquoise beaches to mountains and landmarks, we have it all.”
“There is also a plethora of adventures and experiences in Africa and I think that most people will probably be quite surprised by all that it has to offer.”
He now hopes that the documentary inspires viewers to visit Africa.
“I hope that people can take it as a very valuable piece of edutainment and that it can inspire them to take their families and friends to Africa and that when they walk away from each episode, they are inspired to see each country and get to explore the continent.”
∎ Watch “Breaking Down Borders Africa” on SABC1 on Wednesdays at 6pm.