Of Soul and Joy (OSJ) continues to provide a platform for learning photography to many young artists in Thokoza and surrounding areas, as they celebrate their 10 years anniversary.
The platform was initiated in 2012 by Rubis Mécénat and Easigas under Rubis Group’s South African subsidiary, with the intention to provide youth in the townships with professional skills in the field of photography.
Kathorus MAIL joined the group of photographers on August 26, at Buhlebuzile Secondary School, to witness the presentation of the projects that they have been working on.
The program caters for a total of 35 photographers, with at least 15 junior and 20 seniors from various schools around the township.
A junior photographer, Life Ngubeni (22), said she joined OSJ early this year and she has since learnt that there is more to photography.
“We are learning more about photography, how to take pictures and the element of storytelling behind pictures. I had an interest in photography before joining OSJ, but only as a means of just taking beautiful pictures.
“That is what I thought pictures were until I came here, now pictures have meaning; they tell stories,” said Ngubeni.
She said for their project they were tasked to focus on a story within their home.
“I specifically chose to focus on my grandfather, Samuel Ndunge (74), because being raised by a male figure these days is very rare so you need to cherish that. I also wanted to express his relationship with his garden.”
Senior photographer Tebogo Mabuya (20) shared that he was coming from a creative art background. He explained that he studied creative art and visual art while he was still in Grade Eight.
He said his favourite beat is documentaries because he loves nature and landscape shots.
“A lot has changed since I became a member. I never thought I would find myself exhibiting or with a scholarship.”
Another senior photographer, Xolani Ngubeni (22), said what he loves about the OSJ is that they are given a platform to tell stories about their own traumas.
“Within a short period of time you learn how to be articulate and narrate your work, you also learn what photography is because a lot of people are not doing it right. OSJ trains us to be better photographers, they give us platforms to exhibit and showcase our work all over the world,” said Ngubeni.
South African photographer and OSJ project manager Jabulani Dhlamini noted that in its 10 years of existence, the OSJ programme has helped reveal young photographers who are now making a living from their work and building an international career.
He said their work is exhibited in numerous festivals and fairs including Bamako Encounters, Addis Foto Fest, PhotoSaintGermain, Paris Photo and Cape Town Art Fair among others.
He further said they were awarded prestigious prizes like CAP Prize and Prince Claus Fund among others, represented by agencies and galleries like Magnum Photos and Afronova.
