Mphatheleni Makaulule from the VhaVenda tribe of Northern South Africa, in Limpopo province, has dedicated her life to protecting the sacred natural sites and ecosystems in her community as well as reviving Indigenous knowledge and the role of the women chiefs and spiritual leaders known as the Makhadzi. Having built the Luvhola cultural village with the help of her community close to two decades ago, as well as establishing the Dzomo La Mupo committee with local Makahadzis, Mphatheleni’s work challenges the socioeconomic order that oppresses women and nature and forges ahead to build a more egalitarian world. Photo Credit: The Ecologist
