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Mphatheleni Makaulule: Words that weave the land

In the first episode of the second season, Mphatheleni Makaulule (Venda Indigenous People, South Africa) shares her experience as a keeper of Indigenous knowledge systems.

04 | 14 | 2025

Crossing the River – Season II – Episode 1

Words that weave the land


In the first episode of the second season, Mphatheleni Makaulule (Venda Indigenous People, South Africa) shares her experience as a keeper of Indigenous knowledge systems. Mphatheleni argues that defending her territory means protecting her language—the words she and her people use to foster relationships with their land. As part of her work, she has documented and preserved the knowledge of the elders and the wisdom embedded in their language.

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