Breaking Down Borders: SABC Docuseries Earns National Nomination
When Paul Modjadji takes the stage — whether it’s under the blazing Senegalese sun or beneath the electric lights of Lagos — he isn’t just dancing. He’s weaving together the heartbeats of a continent. In Breaking Down Borders, South Africa’s first continental dance-and-culture travelogue, Modjadji and his creative team glide through ten African countries, pairing the universal language of movement with the intimate art of storytelling. His mission was simple yet profound: to celebrate the joy of dance while giving voice to local stories often left untold.
Now, this ambitious SABC series has caught the eye of the National Arts and Culture Awards, earning a nomination for Outstanding Documentary Series.
A Celebration of African Creativity
On 22 August, the glittering Sun City stage will set the scene for a black-tie celebration of the nation’s creative best. The award ceremony will be resided over by Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie. But, for Modjadji, the nomination is already a prize.
“It really is the honour of a lifetime even to be nominated for such a highly regarded national award. The quality of the contenders speaks for itself,” says Modjadji. “Our series was a joy to create and helped shine a positive light on the African continent and its boundless creativity.”
Ten Countries, A Tapestry Stories
Modjadji’s dance-driven journe is travel in its most vibrant form. Each destination — from the streets of Harare to the coastline of Dakar — is more than a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing character in the story. Viewers are invited to meet changemakers, share in local traditions, and witness dance as a bridge across borders. The aim is to immerse viewers in the African continent through music, movement, and storytelling traditions.
The journey culminates in a special retrospective episode hosted by Minnie Dlamini, where Modjadji reflects on the moments that moved him most — both on and off the dance floor.
A Milestone for SABC Travelogues
The series is also a milestone for the SABC as its first continental travelogue since Precious Kofi’s adventure series in 2009. Furthermore, it is a testament to the fact that the continent’s richest stories are best told by those who live them. Wading through exciting and culturally rich territory, Modjadji and his team realise it is less about accolades and more about sparking pride and unity across borders.
Co-produced by actor and producer Wandile Molebatsi, Breaking Down Borders stands as a proud example of African stories told by Africans, for Africans.
“Breaking Down Borders is a social cohesion project that aims to build bridges amongst Africans. It is artistic and cultural diplomacy at their best. Through the show you explore Africa’s touristic treasures while meeting change-makers setting the pace of Africa,” said Molebatsi.
Other Nominees in the Outstanding Documentary Series Category
School Ties (Directed by Richard Gregory)
This four-part series bravely confronts the grooming and sexual abuse of learners at prestigious South African boys’ schools. It delves into real-life tragedies — from suicides at elite institutions like St Andrew’s College and Parktown Boys’ High to the investigation of a network of coaches allegedly involved in abuse. Experts and survivors offer critical insights against a backdrop of institutional silence.
Free at Last (Directed by Xoliswa Sithole, Misha Wessel & Thomas Blom)
This multi-part documentary revisits the legacy of the Apartheid era: its Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its lingering impact today. Featuring personal stories from both victims and perpetrators, it probes why justice has remained elusive even decades later, examining iconic cases and hidden truths through unprecedented archival access.
With each episode, Breaking Down Borders offers more than just a travel diary. It’s a cinematic celebration of rhythm, resilience, and connection. Whether it’s a marketplace drumbeat in Accra or the swirl of fabric in a Cape Town dance studio, the series captures the soul of a continent in motion.
As the awards night approaches, one thing is clear: Breaking Down Borders isn’t just a TV series — it’s a moving portrait of Africa’s rhythm, resilience, and shared humanity.
Images: Supplied
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