Award-winning poet and actress Botlhale Boikanyo has been announced as the new face of the second season of the Breaking Down Borders Africa tour, nearly a decade after the programme’s first successful outing across the continent.
Breaking Down Borders is a pan-African travel and storytelling television series and tour that immerses audiences in the history, heritage sites, tourism landmarks and creative industries of African countries, while exploring how young creatives are shaped by their environments.
Boikanyo, who made history as the only poet to win South Africa’s Got Talent, will lead the new season when it launches in September. Since winning the talent competition, Boikanyo has built a successful career in television and film, appearing in productions including Scandal! and the films The Deal and What About the Boys.
“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,” Boikanyo said.
“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.”
The second season of the tour will place a stronger focus on storytelling and poetry, while still incorporating dance and movement as part of the production.
“Dance will remain a pivotal part of the tour as I believe that storytelling and movement are intertwined in Africa,” Boikanyo added.
The new tour is expected to visit 10 African countries, including Morocco, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cape Verde. Breaking Down Borders first toured countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Senegal during its inaugural season.
Modjadji, co-producer and director of the show, said the announcement coincides with Africa Month celebrations.
“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,” Modjadji says.
Wandile Molebatsi, who is also a co-producer, said Boikanyo’s appointment highlights the importance of oral tradition in African storytelling and culture.
The first season of the series aired on SABC 1 in a primetime slot and concluded with a two-part finale hosted by Minnie Dlamini. The series recently received international recognition after winning a Silver Telly Award in the Television – Travel & Tourism category.
