BREAKING DOWN BORDERS AFRICA INITIATIATIVE
Enabling African youth to connect.
Breaking Down Borders Africa is a pan-African youth engagement, dialogue and cultural exchange programme of the Leaders Who Dare to Dream Foundation.Founded in 2016, BDBA was created to connect young Africans across borders, challenge harmful stereotypes and build a stronger sense of solidarity across the continent and its diaspora. Through dialogue, storytelling, travel, media, research and community-centred programming, BDBA creates spaces for young people to learn from one another, share their lived experiences and imagine new possibilities for Africa’s future.The programme has connected young people from over 60 African states and the diaspora, using arts, media and civic engagement as tools for building understanding, collaboration and social change. This aligns with the Foundation’s wider mission of promoting accessible youth empowerment programmes across Africa, with a focus on arts education, dialogue, cultural exchange, networking and civic participation.
Our Story
The Breaking Down Borders Africa Initiative is inspired by the vision of enabling African youth to connect, share and develop skills collectively and work towards the renewal of the continent.
Since then, BDBA has grown into a platform for connection, reflection and action. The programme has brought together young leaders, artists, activists, entrepreneurs, creatives, community builders and changemakers to explore identity, justice, leadership, heritage and the future of Africa.
BDBA is rooted in the belief that young Africans are not only the leaders of tomorrow. They are already leading, organising, imagining and building today.
What We Do
BDBA creates platforms for young Africans to connect across borders, share knowledge and take action in their communities.
Our work includes:
Pan-African dialogue and exchange
We create spaces for young people to discuss the issues shaping their lives, communities and countries, from identity and belonging to inequality, migration, democracy, leadership and social justice.
Storytelling and media
We use storytelling, film, photography and digital platforms to amplify youth voices and document African experiences from the perspective of young people themselves.
Youth leadership and civic participation
We support young people to see themselves as active citizens, community builders and contributors to Africa’s social, cultural and political future.
Arts, culture and heritage
We recognise the arts as a powerful tool for connection, healing, education and social change. BDBA uses creative practice to bring people together and open up new ways of understanding one another.
Research, learning and resources
We document insights, lessons and practical tools from our work to support young people, youth organisations and community leaders across the continent.
Our Impact
Since its founding, Breaking Down Borders Africa has reached young people across Africa and the diaspora, creating opportunities for connection, learning and collaboration across countries and cultures.
Through in-person engagements, online dialogues, media projects and community-led activities, BDBA has helped build a growing network of young Africans committed to solidarity, justice and collective action.
The BDBA Tour and TV Series
Breaking Down Borders, also known as Breaking Down Borders Africa, is a documentary-style travelogue series broadcast on SABC 1.
The series uses travel, dance, poetry, storytelling and cultural exploration to highlight shared African identities, celebrate the continent’s creative talent and showcase the stories of young people across Africa.
At its heart, the series is about artistic and cultural diplomacy. It challenges the mental and social borders that often divide African nationalities by showing the connections, histories and shared experiences that bring Africans together.
Through movement, spoken word, conversation and community engagement, Breaking Down Borders Africa explores African heritage, tourism landmarks, creative expression and the resilience of local communities.
Concept and Objectives
The series was created to use the arts as a bridge between people, places and cultures.
Dance and creativity are central to the series, with dance, poetry and storytelling used as unifying languages across the continent.
Social cohesion is also a key focus, with the series connecting with young people, artists, community leaders and changemakers to celebrate African identity, heritage and resilience.
Key People
The series was created and co-produced by South African creatives and social cohesion advocates.
Paul Modjadji, internationally recognised choreographer, dancer and creative producer, hosted the 10-country tour in Season 1 and serves as director and co-producer of the series.
Botlhale Boikanyo, award-winning poet, actress and performer, became the host and new face of the second season, bringing poetry, storytelling and performance into the heart of the show.
Seasons and Destinations
Breaking Down Borders Africa follows a country-tour format, exploring local culture, heritage sites, creative communities and the lived experiences of young people in each destination.
Season 1 was a 14-part series filmed across 10 African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal and countries in the SADC region.
Season 2 continued the journey through the lens of poetry, storytelling, movement and dance, with featured destinations including Egypt, Morocco, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Accolades
Breaking Down Borders Africa has been recognised for its positive portrayal of the continent and its contribution to African storytelling, cultural exchange and social cohesion.
The series won a Silver Telly Award in the Television – Travel & Tourism category and was nominated for Outstanding Documentary Series at the National Arts and Culture Awards.
Resources
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research
The BDBA Report: African Youth Perceptions and Apathy for Racial Injustice and Xenophobia explores how young Africans understand, experience and respond to racism, xenophobia and discrimination in an increasingly globalised world. The report highlights youth perspectives on identity, belonging, migration and social cohesion, contributing to important conversations on racial justice, xenophobia and the movement of people across Africa.