The world of wildlife documentary-making is undergoing a much-needed transformation, and it's all thanks to the trailblazing efforts of Pragna Parsotam-Kok and Noel Kok. Their journey began with a simple yet powerful realization: the lack of African voices and perspectives in wildlife storytelling. This realization sparked a mission to empower and amplify the stories of Africa's wildlife through the lens of its own people.
A Journey to Authenticity
The couple's initial challenge was twofold: accessing animals for filming and the scarcity of African wildlife filmmakers. In response, they established the Nature Environment and Wildlife Conservation Trust (NEWF), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering a new generation of African wildlife storytellers. Their first conference in 2017 brought together filmmakers, but it was the lack of African underwater filmmakers that truly highlighted the depth of the issue.
Diving into Diversity
As they searched for underwater filmmakers, Noel Kok observed a striking contrast: the rarity of black African nature and wildlife filmmakers compared to the species they aimed to protect. This exclusion, he believed, resulted in incomplete and inauthentic stories. NEWF's first dive "lab" in 2019 marked a pivotal moment, training a cohort of fellows from across Africa and the global south. Today, their community has grown to nearly 400 strong, with over 200 divers trained in Sodwana Bay and hundreds more in wildlife filmmaking on land.
Redefining Wildlife Narratives
One of NEWF's key initiatives is challenging the traditional soundtrack of wildlife documentaries. Noel Kok expresses frustration with the common practice of pairing African wildlife scenes with classical European music. "We love Mozart and Beethoven," he says, "but music should be representative of the region." NEWF's composition workshops aim to create a more authentic auditory experience, and their efforts have borne fruit. In 2023, the music for a National Geographic film about Botswana's Okavango Delta, composed by NEWF fellows including local musician Koolkat Motyiko, won best original score at the Jackson Wild film festival, beating Hans Zimmer's score for David Attenborough's Frozen Planet II.
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, who wanted to dive to find her brother's body, discovered a new world beneath the waves, including a green turtle she recognized as her late grandmother. Her journey inspired her to become a diving instructor with NEWF, and her proposal to build the dive and filmmaking center, eKhaya, on her grandmother's land, added a layer of personal significance to the project.
Impact and Growth
NEWF's impact extends beyond training divers and filmmakers. They have secured significant funding from National Geographic for their Africa Refocused program, which includes workshops, residencies, and the construction of eKhaya. The center, which opened in November 2023, offers an editing suite, a dive pool, and accommodation for fellows. NEWF's work also involves teaching local interns to swim and dive, with the aim of empowering them to pursue their own projects and contribute to the organization's mission.
A New Generation of Storytellers
Elshadye Berhanu, an Ethiopian filmmaker, is a testament to NEWF's success. She attended a NEWF workshop in 2024 and is now on a two-month residency, working on films about cheetahs and Mbuyazi. Berhanu's experience highlights the invaluable practical and creative skills NEWF provides, allowing her to deeply understand and capture the stories she films. "Being able to film that, from your eyes, it just makes me happy," she says.
Conclusion
The work of Pragna Parsotam-Kok, Noel Kok, and NEWF is a powerful example of how diversity and inclusion can enrich and transform storytelling. By empowering African filmmakers and divers, they are ensuring that the stories of Africa's wildlife are told authentically and with a depth of understanding that only comes from personal connection. As NEWF continues to grow and impact the industry, they are paving the way for a more inclusive and representative future for wildlife documentaries.
