Nicolene Schoeman Louw

A Tribute to our Matriarch

The matriarch elephant is the bedrock of the elephant family. She is responsible for defending and looking out for each family member. She also sets the pace for the herd’s migration and leads the way, often in the most trying of situations. When she dies, she is typically succeeded by her closest female relative. In many ways, human families are similar. Although, in many cultures, we only sometimes credit our matriarchs for their pivotal role in our lives. It is also true that many of us are privileged to experience matriarchy both inside and outside our families.