Tsodilo Hills (The Mountain of the Gods)

These pieces are from a new body of work titled “The Powers that Be”, - a phrase often accompanied by frustration and hopelessness, that has constantly been present in Thero's life. The work explores what this phrase means for different people in different parts of the world and, in turn, how these people relate to him.  

The first volume is titled, “Basireletse Ba Noka (The River Protectors) & The Land of Honey”. These images were taken during “Whispers of the Wilderness”, the 2022 edition of Invisible Borders, a trans-African road trip to the Okavango Delta in Botswana and Namibia. The images in this first volume are a result of a deep exploration of the different landscapes encountered during the trip, as well as the people who inhabit them. The aim was to uncover the undercurrents of local histories and experiences. However, the distance between the artist and the locals was a constant challenge due to the cloud of tourism and socioeconomic privilege. To bridge this gap, Makepe had to interrogate himself and establish a connection with the locals. This involved being open, vulnerable, and honest about my personal background, upbringing, and family.