Breaking Down Borders Africa Returns for Season 2 With Botlhale Boikanyo as New Host

Award-winning travel and cultural television series Breaking Down Borders Africa is set to return for a second season, with acclaimed poet, actress and storyteller Botlhale Boikanyo announced as the new face of the pan-African production.

The announcement comes shortly after the series received a Silver Telly Award in the Television – Travel & Tourism category, marking international recognition for the show's celebration of African culture, heritage and youth creativity.

Nearly a decade after its acclaimed first tour across the continent, Breaking Down Borders Africa is preparing to embark on a new journey through ten African countries, with Boikanyo leading audiences through the stories, histories and creative landscapes that shape the continent.

Boikanyo first captured South Africa's attention when she became the only poet to win South Africa's Got Talent. Since then, she has built a successful career spanning television, film and advocacy, appearing in productions including Scandal!, The Deal and the award-winning film What About the Boys, for which a sequel is set to premiere this month.

Botlhale Boikanyo and former presenter Paul Modjaji

“Being announced as the new face of Breaking Down Borders Africa is a dream come true,” said Boikanyo. “Taking the reins from Paul Modjadji, who launched the platform 10 years ago and helped grow it into a project with continental and global impact, is both an honour and a challenge. It is especially meaningful to begin my first Africa poetry tour during the 50th anniversary year of the 1976 youth uprising and the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women's March.”

She added: “It is an honour to follow Paul at the helm of this pioneering show and I look forward to learning from these historic movements while exploring how their legacy continues to shape young Africans today.”

While the first season placed a strong focus on dance and cultural exchange, season two will introduce a greater emphasis on storytelling and poetry through Boikanyo's unique artistic lens. “Dance will remain a pivotal part of the tour because storytelling and movement have always been deeply connected in African culture,” she said.

The first season of Breaking Down Borders Africa travelled through Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal and several Southern African countries, offering viewers an immersive look at the continent's heritage sites, tourism destinations and creative communities.

The upcoming season will continue that mission, with Morocco, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cape Verde among the destinations scheduled for the new tour, which begins in September. “The announcement of the new tour during Africa Month feels especially fitting,” said series creator and co-producer Paul Modjadji.

“We are thrilled to welcome Botlhale as the new host. She brings a powerful combination of creativity, community leadership and a genuine connection with young people across the continent. Her advocacy work complements her artistic achievements and makes her a natural fit for the next chapter of this journey.”

Modjadji will continue to serve as co-producer and director alongside co-producer Wandile Molebatsi.

“Botlhale's appointment recognises the importance of oral tradition in African storytelling and culture,” said Molebatsi. “Her voice represents a new generation of African storytellers while remaining rooted in the traditions that have shaped us.”

Season one of Breaking Down Borders Africa aired in a primetime slot on SABC 1, concluding with a two-part finale hosted by media personality Minnie Dlamini.

With a new host, new destinations and fresh stories to tell, season two aims to build on the success of the award-winning series while continuing its mission of connecting Africans across borders through culture, creativity and shared experiences.