Nomonde Kananda (b.1994) is a South African Photographer based in Johannesburg. She completed a Foundation Course in Photography in 2021 and a Mid Level Course in Photography at Through The Lens Collective in 2022. Her work has been part of group exhibitions such as "Misconceptions" at The Mareledi Arts Centre, "The Nature of Photography" at Through The Lens Collective, "A Meeting of Minds" by Network Sessions at Space Mecca Studio, “Everything, Everyone Always” by Through The Lens Collective and “Reshape 22: Future Art Histories” by Latitudes. Her work is currently centered around the relationship between Land Ownership and African Spirituality, as well as the various aspects of being a young spiritual healer.

Umhlaba Uyazi. The land knows.

When we listen, the land tells us ancient secrets. The land knows. We fight, discriminate and murder each other over man made systems and beliefs.….money, government, capitalism. These are all constructs, often created with the objective of fulfilling carnal, finite desires and missions.

But the land knows and the land has always known. 

The soil carries creator energy that gives birth to healing properties in medicinal plants. The roots carry infinite DNA that have the power and the capacity to feed its people. The waters bless us, revive us and carry messages that are devoted to our healing, protection and guidance. This is our way of life. This is the Africa that was gifted to us as our Birthright. No matter which part of Africa we come from, this land is ours.

The land knows, the land has always known and the land will always be there to welcome us home. 

This work attempts to explore how Africans communicate with the land, and how the land responds without discrimination. Xenophobia tells people from other parts of Africa that this land is not their home, but the land responds differently. Crops are grown, livestock herded, children are raised, people from everywhere live off this land.

Umhlaba Uyazi. The land knows.

And not only does the land know, but the land sees. 

The land bears witness.