The Breaking Down Borders Africa Tour kicks off with a slate of ten new African countries, almost a decade after the tour’s acclaimed first outing, with acclaimed poet Botlhale Boikanyo becoming the programme’s face.
Botlhale Boikanyo made history as the only poet to win South Africa’s Got Talent. Since her win, Botlhale has established herself as a national treasure with leading roles on shows including e.tv’s Scandal! and award-winning films The Deal and What About the Boys, in a role she will reprise in a sequel premiering this month.
Also see: Botlhale Boikanyo selected for 2024 Mandela Washington fellow
A dream come true
“Being announced as the new face of Breaking Down Borders is a dream come true. Taking the reins from Paul Modjadji, who successfully launched the platform 10 years ago and carved it into a platform that has global reach and impact, is a wonderful challenge and testament to the big shoes I have to fill.
“It is an honour to embark on my first Africa poetry tour with this incredible initiative in this 50th year of the youth uprising and the 70th year of the 1956 Women’s March,” said Botlhale.
“It is an honour to follow Paul at the helm of this pioneering show, and I look forward to learning from these landmark historic movements while making them relevant to today’s youth.”
Season 2 of the tour will see the pan-African format focus on Botlhale’s storytelling and poetry.
“Dance will remain a pivotal part of the tour as I believe that storytelling and movement are intertwined in Africa,” she said.
Season 1 of Breaking Down Borders toured Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal and five other SADC countries.
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The beauty of Africa through storytelling
Audiences are immersed in the toured countries, discovering history, heritage sites and tourism landmarks while learning how young creatives are shaped by their countries.
Season 2 will kick off in September when the team tours Morocco, Egypt, DRC, Cape Verde, and others.
“The announcement of the new tour is being made during this year’s Africa month, and the team is beyond excited to announce Botlhale as the new host. Botlhale Boikanyo brings with her a youthful zest and an undeniable connection to young people. Her community development and advocacy work complements her mass appeal,” said Paul Modjadji, who will stay on as the tour’s co-producer and director with co-producer Wandile Molebatsi.
“Botlhale Boikanyo’s appointment recognises the importance of the oral tradition in African storytelling and culture,” said Wandile.
Season 1 of Breaking Down Borders aired on SABC 1 in a primetime slot, concluding with a two-part finale hosted by A-lister Minnie Dlamini.
Breaking Down Borders Africa TV series recently won the Silver Telly Award in Television – Travel & Tourism category.
Also see: Former SA’s Got Talent poet graduates in the U.S
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