WeeklySA_AdminACCLAIM: Travel and culture series Breaking Down Borders Africa has won a Silver Telly Award in New York, placing African storytelling on the international stage and proving that compelling local content can compete with the world’s best productions…
By Staff Reporter
South African television production Breaking Down Borders Africa has received international acclaim after winning a Silver Telly Award in the Best Travel and Tourism Television Series category.
The award was announced during the 47th annual Telly Awards, one of the world’s most respected honours recognising excellence in television and video content across all platforms.
The accolade marks a significant milestone for the locally produced travelogue series, which celebrates African culture, youth, dance, heritage and tourism through storytelling that crosses geographical and cultural boundaries.
Speaking from New York following the announcement, host and producer Paul Modjadji described the recognition as a major achievement for the production team and for African storytelling.
“It is a tremendous honour for the team to receive this stellar recognition,” said Modjadji.
“The fact that a modest production shot on a shoestring budget could earn international acclaim is a testament to the power of African stories and the capabilities of our continent. Breaking Down Borders Season 1 was a celebration of Africa and its dance and youth culture.”
The Telly Awards, established in 1979, are regarded as the premier global awards programme for video and television content. This year’s competition attracted nearly 14 000 entries from 55 countries, underscoring the scale of the achievement.
Amanda Needham, managing director of the Telly Awards, said the industry had entered a new era of creativity and innovation. “Video has never been more contested, more creative, or more consequential than it is right now,” she said.
“The Telly Awards have had a front-row seat to this industry for 47 years, and today’s entertainment is happening in multiple formats, across every screen, and at every budget level.”
The international recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for Breaking Down Borders Africa. The series was previously nominated for a National Arts and Culture Award (NACA) in the Best TV Documentary Series category and was selected among the Top Six international travel programmes in the 2025 BET and Black Travel Summit pitch competition held in Brazil.
Currently airing on SABC 1, the first season introduced audiences to diverse destinations and cultures across the continent while highlighting the creativity and resilience of Africa’s youth. Production for Season 2 is scheduled to begin in Spring 2026, with acclaimed poet, performer and television personality Botlhale Boikanyo set to take over hosting duties.
For Modjadji, the award is not only a victory for the programme but also a reflection of Africa’s growing influence in global culture.
“Africa’s time is now,” he said. “From our films, television, music, fashion, dance and art, the world is captivated by the talent emerging from Africa. It is wonderful to be part of this cultural zeitgeist and to contribute to the rewriting of Africa’s narrative and potential.”
The award places Breaking Down Borders Africa among an elite group of internationally recognised production s and reinforces the growing appetite for authentic African stories on the world stage.
