Sesa Mathlo loosely translates to ‘open your eyes’ in Sesotho or ‘clean your eyes’ in Chichewa. Sesa is to ‘open’ (Sesotho) or to ‘clean’ (Chichewa) and Mathlo is ‘eyes’. Sesa Mathlo is a metaphor for opening our eyes to witnessing the interlocking oppression that fosters disconnect and an invitation to open up to new pathways of seeing and being that foster inclusion. We flow at the intersection of embodied care, collective wellness and social justice.
Sesotho is a Southern Bantu language spoken in Lesotho, where it is the national and official language; in South Africa, where it is one of the 11 official languages; and in Zimbabwe where it is one of 16 official languages. Chichewa is a Bantu language spoken in Malawi and recognized in Zambia and Mozambique.
Programmes & Services
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The Well is Sesa Mathlo Apothecary’s learning programme that weaves storytelling, Black feminisms and indigenous wisdom, practices and knowledge systems.
Since we opened our well in 2021, we have hosted six cohorts and facilitated workshops for different organisations and groups.
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Makanaka engages the practice of writing as a tool for transformation and connection. She is deeply interested in how we relate to each other and how this reflects societal and institutional structures.
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Makanaka has designed and facilitated programmes that integrate education, art and social justice. This includes women’s programmes, playgroups, youth creative hubs and training for local businesses with the aim of supporting social cohesion.
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Makanaka brings her expertise as a teacher and honours the lineage of storytellers and wisdom holders she comes from as a skilled and engaging facilitator, educator and speaker. She is an experienced teacher who has shared on a range of social issues exploring the intersections of race, ethnicity, migration and sexuality.
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Makanaka brings her knowledge of institutional structures and the inequities they manifest as to her practice and responds through sharing indigenous practices, cosmologies and gentle movement with clients. She loves supporting birthing people especially her queer and indigenous kin.
Meet our Founder
Mhoroi (hello), my name is Makanaka and I am a Researcher, Storyteller and Cultural Producer who’s practice flows at the intersections of embodied care, collective wellness and social justice. My work explores the themes of liberation, worldbuilding and relational wellness.
As a practice-led researcher, I utilise indigenous knowledge systems and frameworks to highlight the experiences of marginalised communities navigating social and institutional structures and systems in Aotearoa New Zealand with a primary focus on sexuality, ethnically diverse communities and third culture identity, specifically African diasporic identity.
As the Founder, Builder and Guide of Sesa Mathlo Apothecary my intention, with the support of my teachers, kin and friends is for this space to be a movement that supports and champions social transformation holistically. Sesa Mathlo Apothecary is a reflection of my dedication to research, storytelling, co-creating and the production of intentional programmes that are responsive to the times we are flowing through.
I look forward to sharing time, space, thoughts & reflections with you as we engage in action for social transformation.
Doctoral candidate for a PhD in Social Sciences and Public Policy and recipient of a Doctoral Scholarship Award
200 Hour African Kemetic Yoga Teacher Training (2022)
Master of International Communication (2018)
Bachelor of Communication Studies - Public Relations (2013)
*Builder & Guide are roles defined by Deepa Iyer in the Social Change Eco System. As a Builder I develop, organise, and implement ideas, practices, people, and resources in service of a collective vision. As a Guide I teach, counsel, and advise, using my gifts of well-earned discernment and wisdom.
