In a time when tensions between Nigeria and South Africa have too often made headlines—from xenophobic attacks to retaliatory actions—actor and producer Bohang Moeko believes African cinema can offer a path to healing.
His call for cross-continental collaboration comes against the backdrop of years of friction. In 2019, waves of xenophobic violence erupted in South Africa, with foreign nationals—especially Nigerians—targeted in cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria. The attacks prompted fierce backlash in Nigeria, including retaliatory damage to South African-owned businesses like Shoprite and MTN.
More recently, hostility has spilt onto digital streets. In 2024, a beauty queen’s comments reignited online tensions, amplifying nationalist divides between citizens of both countries. Even prank wars have turned disruptive: Nigerian users ordered fake Bolt rides in South Africa in retaliation to cases of South Africans reportedly requesting rides in Lagos, prompting the company to restrict inter-country ride requests.
Amid this volatility, Moeko offers a counter-narrative. “Movies have a very strong power to bridge gaps,” he says. Instead of more division, he envisions cinema as a soft power tool for rebuilding trust—starting with comedy, a genre both nations excel in, evidenced by the shared culture of self-deprecating jokes. “Nigerians and South Africans are very good at making fun of ourselves,” he notes. “Let’s start there.”
But his proposal goes beyond laughter. Bohang Moeko, who is transitioning into producing, sees potential in stories that reflect parallel lives—like those of single mothers in both countries—underscoring shared humanity. “People realise we’re the same people going through the same things,” he explains.
He’s also pragmatic. He praises Nigeria’s speed and resourcefulness in content creation while acknowledging South Africa’s production values and global market access. The ideal collaboration, he suggests, would exchange strengths: crew swaps, co-productions, and storylines rooted in mutual experiences. “There’s so much opportunity for sharing of skills,” he adds.
Bohang Moeko’s appreciation for Nollywood runs deep, and he wants to come to Nollywood in 2025. “It’s a huge intention of mine and a huge goal of mine as well this year to come to Nigeria, shoot, make movies, and collaborate with Nigerian actors and directors and filmmakers.”
With enthusiasm, he names performances from ‘The Black Book’, admires actors like Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kunle Remi, Daniel Etim Effiong, and Mike Afolarin, and envisions a cinematic bridge where storytelling becomes a form of diplomacy. “We’re so much stronger when we collaborate.”
His message is timely—and necessary. In an age where planned attacks on Nigerian nationals in South Africa still make news, his vision offers something radically different: mutual recognition and empathy.
As Moeko puts it, “The next great African story won’t be Nigerian or South African. It will be both. And that’s when the magic happens.”
