For two weeks, children will receive instruction from a skilled photographer.
The essence of this proverb, which abhors the saying, “Charity begins at home,” is that you can only go out to help others if you first have your home in order.
It's about filling someone else's glass.
For more than a decade, Thokoza-based social arts movement and education program Soul and Joy (OSJ) has made a tangible impact in the south-east Johannesburg town by equipping often disadvantaged young people with photography skills. It has had a significant impact.
Since 2012, OSJ has awarded approximately 50 scholarships, held more than 20 annual exhibitions and community events, published four books featuring the work of OSJ students, and completed 12 years of photography. As part of our training efforts, we have also created job opportunities for more than 10 active mentors. South Africa.
“We have done a lot in our 10 years in Tokoza, but as Tokoza photographers grow, we at Soul and Joy must also grow. We need opportunities like this,” said Jabulani Dlamini, OSJ project manager and mentor. The Citizen.
Also read: Soul and Joy: Efforts to teach photography skills to young people
From Tokoza to the countryside
OSJ is currently expanding its reach into rural areas to carry out the work it continues to do in Tokoza.
OSJ, through its Rural Empowerment Project, is currently running a two-week photography workshop at Magoza Secondary School in Tzaneen, Limpopo.
“The first week was great. We didn't know what to expect, but the children are motivated and enthusiastic about learning photography,” Dlamini said.
The project focuses on unemployed youth and students between the ages of 15 and 25 in schools and surrounding areas.
This is OSJ's second rural empowerment project. In 2022, he first enrolled at Nkutuz Matukulla Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We work with specific schools, but we are open to the community, especially unemployed youth,” Dlamini said.
The SOJ members are currently in their second and final week of life in Dan Village, Tzaneen. The village has a total of 30 students, 20 from Magoza Junior High School and 10 selected from the village.
“Only four incoming students will be participating in this two-week workshop. We don't normally select college admissions, but they expressed interest. The remaining participating students are in grades 9-11. grade,” Dlamini said.
Also read: SA photographer Sibusiso Beka makes a name for himself in Paris
continuous
The idea behind prioritizing younger grades is that the project is rooted in continuity.
As this is their first time in Tzaneen and their stay is only for two weeks, SOJ plans to return to the community during the 2025 school holidays to further strengthen the skills taught during the ongoing two-week period. .
The same thing happened with Nquthu.
“The first time I went there was in 2022, so I came back in 2023 and did a workshop with the kids. Our mentors still go into the community and do workshops. Next year we are planning to recruit another school in KZN, not far from Nkutu in Kandla,” Dlamini shared.
Students who perform well and demonstrate a strong interest will be offered scholarship opportunities in the world of media other than photography.
Also read: SA photographer Vuyo Mabeka on being selected to exhibit his work in France
On-site learning
Over the course of two weeks, the children will be mentored by expert photographers including SOJ alumni Sibusiso Beka, Tandile Zwelibanzi, Vuyo Mabeka and Lunati Mngushma.
“We teach them a basic understanding of photography and camera control,” Dlamini says.
There is a lot of hands-on learning during the two weeks, and students are also taught on-site how to approach subjects to obtain their consent to be photographed.
“Our classes are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We provide them with lunch during the day, and after spending time in class, we go to the community to take photos.”
Mr Dlamini said the photographs taken by the learners were story-based and encouraged learners to tell their own stories.
“We have seen that the camera is a healing tool for children. We see their stories told through the camera. Most of them take pictures of their mothers and their absent fathers. Some people take pictures of local businessmen,” Dlamini said.
On Friday, the students' last day in the community, a digital exhibition will be held where photos taken by the students will be shared with the community.
Mr Dlamini said the OSJ was intended to involve the community.
“The aim is not to make them photographers; it's to expose them to other careers. That's why we encourage parents to show them there are opportunities out there.”
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