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 lack of diverse representation in African wildlife filmmaking. This realization sparked a transformative endeavor, leading to the establishment of the Nature Environment and Wildlife Conservation Trust (NEWF).
The Koks' vision extended beyond the screen. They organized a groundbreaking conference in 2017, bringing together African wildlife filmmakers for the first time. However, a significant challenge emerged in 2018 when they struggled to find African underwater filmmakers for a panel discussion on oceans. This led to the creation of NEWF's inaugural dive "lab" in 2019, marking a pivotal moment in their mission.
The Koks' passion for authenticity and representation is evident in their approach. Noel Kok humorously remarks on the scarcity of Black African nature, environment, and wildlife filmmakers, emphasizing the need for diverse storytelling. This led to the training of over 200 divers in Sodwana Bay, a haven for Africa's southernmost tropical coral reefs. Simultaneously, NEWF offered wildlife filmmaking workshops at Bayala, a private game reserve, nurturing the skills of aspiring filmmakers.
One of the most inspiring stories to emerge from this initiative is that of Silindile Mbuyazi, a local diver who embarked on a personal journey. Mbuyazi, driven by the desire to find her brother's body, who had drowned in Sodwana Bay, discovered a newfound passion for diving. She encountered a green turtle, recognizing it as her grandmother, a figure from her past. This experience transformed her life, and she found love in the ocean.
Mbuyazi's journey led her to become a diving instructor with NEWF in 2022. She proposed a partnership to build a base on her grandmother's land, resulting in the creation of eKhaya, a sanctuary named after the Zulu word for "home." eKhaya boasts an editing suite, a dive pool, and accommodations for fellows, serving as a hub for their endeavors.
The impact of NEWF's efforts is evident in the success of their initiatives. In 2021, NEWF introduced composition workshops, addressing the issue of generic music in documentaries. This led to a breakthrough when the score 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, surpassing Hans Zimmer's composition for David Attenborough's 'Frozen Planet II'.
NEWF's influence extends beyond music and diving. They have trained over 400 fellows from 37 African countries and 13 more in the global south, fostering a diverse community of wildlife filmmakers. Ethiopian filmmaker Elshadye Berhanu, who attended a NEWF workshop, shared her profound experience, highlighting the depth of understanding gained while filming cheetahs and their bond.
As NEWF continues to evolve, the Koks are negotiating new funding from National Geographic, with ambitions to purchase a dive boat and construct a fellows' house in Bayala. Their journey is a testament to the power of passion, innovation, and representation in wildlife documentaries, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
