The Okavango Delta is what happens when people pay attention to the environmental wealth of a place. It’s the world’s 1,000th UNESCO World Heritage site. And for its animals and its immeasurable feeling of wilderness, it is a major tourism destination. But not all residents have been included in its success. What starts with a hippo hunt continues with a journey through Botswana’s past to understand what makes a place a rightful home for a group of people. And who should benefit when that land reaps a profit?

To learn more, visit www.wildbirdtrust.com.

This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa, with help this time from Thalefang Charles and Gobonamang Kgetho. This story also features renowned Botswana voice actors Batho Molema and Donald Sejo, who spoke for Mr Monnaaphuthego Oja and Kgosimoriti Keikanamang. Human Rights Lawyer and Mandela Washington Fellow Keikantse Phele provided grounding in the Botswana legal framework for understanding more about the WaYei’s official status. Photographs of archival documentation of the Moremi Game Reserve Declarations are available at the Wild Bird Trust podcast page.

Faya Chune Republik and Crania Audio studios captured interview tape of the WaYei in Gabronne. Newsreel tape of from the formation of Botswana was used from a fair use public clip entitled “Bechuanaland (Botswana) 17 March 1965.” Botswana music for this episode was performed by the WaYei tribes women of Seronga, and the Reed Harp which is also known as the Seorooro was played by Tom Rethio.

This podcast is hosted by Kerllen Costa. It is written, recorded, and directed by Cat Jaffee and House of Pod in partnership with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Funding for this project comes from a National Geographic storytelling grant and the Wild Bird Trust. Additional audio recorded for the documentary was provided by Neil Gelinas and Kaya Ensor. Fact checking was conducted by Aimee Machado. Juliette Luini is the producer. The audio editor and sound designer is Jason Paton. The Angolan producer is Kerllen Costa, and the Motswana producer is Thalefang Charles. Story editing comes from Rebecca Mendoza Nunziato. 

Geração 80 is the recording studio in Angola.

Music: The Guardians of the River theme song was created by Victor Gama. 

The theme music of this podcast is a journey of sounds from the villagers of Tempue preparing food and drumming on bomb drums while celebrating their faith in village churches, which is interwoven with a greeting song by the children of Tempue sung before the community meeting. There is also a reed harp played by Tom Rethio, a WaYei musician. In addition to custom pieces from Victor, the music featured in the series also comes from Victor's 2010 album Pangeia Instrumentos. The tracks included on the podcast are O Pescador De Sonhos, Homem Vermelho Homem Verde, A Guerra dos Homens Répteis, O Olho No Anzol, O Diálogo Dos Pernetas, Mibanga.

Art: The episode art for Guardians of the River was illustrated by Fernando Hugo Fernandes.