Thero Makepe's 'We Didn't Choose to be Born Here' at Javett Art Centre

Thero Makepe's first institutional solo exhibition, 'We Didn't Choose to be Born Here', is on view at the Javett Art Centre at Pretoria University until 13 February 2027. The exhibition, which began development in 2020, intertwines family photographs, oral histories, documentary images, and re-enactments to explore migration, resistance, and belonging across Botswana and South Africa. Makepe, a Motswana photographer, traces the lives of his family, particularly his grandfather Hippolytus Mothopeng and great-uncle Zephaniah Mothopeng, revealing two responses to apartheid: migration and political resistance. The work incorporates archival material from his grandmother's wardrobe, public documents, and staged portraiture, creating a non-linear narrative. Makepe discusses the influence of Pan-Africanism and Black Consciousness, his experiences during the #FeesMustFall movement, and the role of music in activism, referencing his great-uncle's son John Mothopeng's bands Batsumi and Marumo. He also highlights the Medu Art Ensemble, an anti-apartheid cultural collective in Botswana. The title reflects the irony of his family's migration patterns and broader structural forces. Makepe hopes the exhibition encourages reflection on Botswana's history and its place in regional liberation histories, especially as Botswana celebrates 60 years of independence amid economic challenges. The exhibition also accompanies the release of his first monograph.