What is so striking about Letti is how distinctive she is. That she stands apart in contrast to her fellow neighbors is a mystery. Answers may lie in her actions, driven by internal principles and empathy for the lives of those she struggles to support. Still, all of that does not provide a full answer which only further highlights her rarified presence.

Nkateko is from the Hluvukani community in rural South Africa. Since 2014, she has worked as a ranger with the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching-Unit under the auspices of Transfrontier Africa. The Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit is the first all female Anti-Poaching-Unit in the world.

She is also a lead organizer and collaborator for Mambas in the Park, an initiative by Global March for Elephants and Rhinos to amplify indigenous voices rising for the wild wonder of Africa.  As program lead, Letti works with children of the Black Mambas overseeing an all day immersion experience learning ab out their wild heritage, effectively promoting a new generation of young wildlife advocates.

Nkateko has also begun the process to establish a new effort, the Nkateko Hluvukani Foundation, an initiative derived from her work on behalf of the elderly and children of her community. The foundation will support Hluvukani with food, clothing and opportunities that generate agency and build capacity.

Lunghisani Mhlongo

Lunghisani is a native of Hluvukani, a sensitive and very bright young man who now attends Manyangana High School. His ambition one day, is to become a wildlife ranger. The bridge that connects Letti and  kids like Llunghisani is Mambas in the Park; the dynamic and  synergistic collaboration between Transfrontier Africa and Global March for Elephants. Letti serves as one of the mentors for the initiative. So engaged, Lunghisani and his classmates are set to become a new generation of wildlife conservationists for South Africa They are learning full-well, the daunting challenge of protecting life in a region full of danger, where resources are stretched extremely thin. 

Considerations for the Film Front page Hluvukani Production notes