In the realm of wildlife documentaries, a quiet revolution is taking place in South Africa, led by a dynamic duo: Pragna Parsotam-Kok and Noel Kok. Their journey began with a simple yet profound realization: the lack of African voices in the narrative of Africa's wildlife. This realization sparked a mission to empower and amplify African wildlife filmmakers, scientists, and conservationists, ultimately aiming to redefine the very essence of wildlife documentaries.
The Koks' vision materialized through the establishment of the Nature Environment and Wildlife Conservation Trust (NEWF). Their first step was to host a conference in 2017, bringing together African wildlife filmmakers. However, a glaring omission became apparent when they struggled to find African underwater filmmakers for a panel discussion on oceans. This led to the creation of NEWF's dive "lab" in 2019, where they trained the first cohort of fellows, many of whom were marine biologists who couldn't swim, let alone scuba dive. This initiative was a powerful statement, demonstrating the trust's commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
The impact of NEWF's efforts is evident in the training of over 200 divers in Sodwana Bay, a haven for Africa's southernmost tropical coral reefs. The trust has also established a private game reserve, Bayala, where fellows are trained in wildlife filmmaking on land. But NEWF's influence extends beyond training; it has also revolutionized the music in wildlife documentaries. In 2021, the trust added composition workshops, addressing the frustration of using generic music in African landscapes. This led to a breakthrough when the music 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, outshining Hans Zimmer's score for David Attenborough's Frozen Planet II.
The Koks' personal journey is intertwined with the trust's mission. They met Silindile Mbuyazi, a local diver who wanted to find her brother's body in Sodwana Bay. Through diving, Mbuyazi discovered a new world and a sense of self. She became a diving instructor with NEWF and proposed a partnership to build a dive and filmmaking center on her grandmother's land, named eKhaya, which opened in November 2023. The center is a testament to the trust's impact, providing a base for fellows and interns, including local divers and musicians.
The trust's influence extends globally, as evidenced by Ethiopian filmmaker Elshadye Berhanu's residency. Berhanu, who attended a one-week NEWF workshop, gained invaluable experience and a deeper understanding of the stories she wanted to tell. The trust's impact is not just in the training of individuals but in the creation of a community of diverse voices, challenging the status quo and redefining the narrative of Africa's wildlife.
In conclusion, the Nature Environment and Wildlife Conservation Trust is more than just a training program; it is a catalyst for change. By empowering African wildlife filmmakers, scientists, and conservationists, the trust is reshaping the landscape of wildlife documentaries. It is a powerful example of how a small initiative can have a profound impact, fostering a new generation of storytellers and inspiring a broader conversation about the representation of Africa's wildlife. The trust's journey is a testament to the power of human connection and the potential for positive change, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
