Publication: The Witness
Author: Kayla Shaw
Photo: Kayla Shaw
Access is where it all begins — one opportunity, one open door, one chance to prove what is possible. For many young Africans with a passion for storytelling, conservation and film, that access has long been out of reach.
But through the work of non-profit organisation Nature, Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers (Newf), that gap is steadily being closed.
This was evident at the recent Newf Fellows Summit, held at Bayala Safari Lodge in the Zuka Private Game Reserve, where 70 fellows from across Africa gathered for a week of collaboration, learning and reflection.
Newf co-founder Noel Kok said the gathering formed part of the organisation’s flagship Africa Refocused programme, run in partnership with the National Geographic Society.
“The main focus is to change the narrative so that the stories of Africa are increasingly told by and from the perspective of Africa’s people,” said Kok.
Now in its fifth year, the programme has grown into a pan-African network of more than 370 fellows from 35 countries.
Kok said the summit provided a space to reflect on progress while shaping the next phase.
“We asked for change in the industry — and we have seen positive responses. But now the question is how we influence what is being seen and ensure African voices are leading the conversation,” he said.
Beyond storytelling, Kok said the work also intersects with conservation and economic development.
There is an urgent need for development across the continent, but at the same time we must protect our natural heritage. That balance requires African voices,” he said.
While the summit focused on strategy and collaboration, the real impact of Newf’s work is seen in the lives of its fellows.
For 23-year-old intern Thembeka Zulu, the programme has transformed her career path. After completing a degree in geography and zoology, she struggled to find work, eventually taking a factory job while continuing to apply for opportunities.
Her breakthrough came when she joined the Wild Impact YES programme, which led her to Newf. Today, she is involved in diving projects, logistics co-ordination and conservation work, including the Frogs of Mbazwana project.
“At first I wasn’t interested in frogs, but when I saw them and started learning, everything changed,” she said.
Zulu now hopes to pursue further studies and inspire young people in her home community to explore science.
“I want to go back and teach children, to spark interest and show them what is possible,” she said.
For fellow intern Fisokuhle Zikhali, access to media training has opened an entirely new world. Starting out in maintenance and gardening, Zikhali’s dedication caught the attention of programme leaders, leading to an opportunity to join media workshops.
“I said in a film we made that one day I want to tell my own stories from my own perspective and now that is starting to happen,” he said.
Zikhali now hopes to build a future in filmmaking, using storytelling to highlight conservation issues such as rhino poaching.
The broader significance of initiatives like Newf is recognised internationally. Chief storytelling officer at the National Geographic Society, Kaitlin Yarnall, said African filmmakers bring a unique advantage to the industry.
“They have deep local knowledge — cultural, ecological and linguistic — and that gives them a home advantage,” she said.
Yarnall said the impact extends beyond filmmaking, influencing representation and inspiring future generations.
“There’s a saying: you have to see it to be it. When young people see themselves reflected in these roles, it sparks ambition,” she said.
The summit also highlighted KwaZulu-Natal’s growing role in the global film and creative economy. KZN Tourism and Film Authority spokesperson Pinky Radebe said platforms like Newf position the province as more than just a destination.
“We are positioning KwaZulu-Natal as a production hub within the global creative economy,” she said.
For Bayala Safari Lodge manager Laura Geyer, the partnership with Newf is rooted in shared values of conservation and education.
“This project gives young people the opportunity to experience wildlife in a way they might never have before,” she said.
“You only truly understand conservation when you are part of it. Educating the next generation is crucial because they are the ones who will carry this forward.”
As the summit concluded, one message remained clear — access is more than opportunity. It is the foundation for change.
Through Newf, a new generation of African storytellers is not only gaining access to tools and training, but also reclaiming the narrative — telling their own stories, in their own voices, and shaping how the world sees the continent.
Amendment to the Gazette