East Rand emerges as centre of globally impactful photographic narratives in post apartheid South Africa

This is as Vuyo Mabheka exhibits Popihuise at Biennale Images Vevey in Switzerland.

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

It has become clear that the centre of photography in the country is in the East of Johannesburg, as it appears this is where photography that is meaningful and has high global impact is starting to emerge from.

Perhaps that should not surprise many as the East Rand has historically produced high impact photography. This is particularly due to its history of being a hotbed of unfortunately political violence leading up to the democratic South Africa in 1994. Such townships that include Thokoza and Katlehong were battle grounds for political influence where black on black violence between the ANC and Inkatha Freedom Party faced each other off. This was fuelled allegedly by the National Party politicians as the then ruling party saw its power waning as the ANC was taking centre stage increasingly, readying itself to govern in a free and democratic South Africa.

This is the area that saw violence hardened journalists, particularly photographers focusing their attention on, and in the process, producing and publishing photography that is today outstanding as a powerful visual narrative of that violence. Here I am talking about the violence scarred group of photographers that went by the name the Bang Bang Club, that among other prominent photographers, including Kevin Carter and Ken Oosterbroek, both of whom are unfortunately lost their lives tragically. Ken Oosterbroek in fact became a victim of that violence whereas Kevin Carter took his own life under different, unclear circumstances that may have or not have been precipitated by the trauma of that violence and other factors.

The point here however is that a group of photographers from the East rand, today are making global impact with documenting life, and not violence in that part of Johannesburg, winning global accolades and prestigious international awards as they point their lenses in a different direction from their predecessors.

A few weeks ago on this very platform, we featured two articles about the work of photographers from that part of Johannesburg, Lindokuhle Sobekwa, who currently has an exhibition at the Johannesburg Art Gallery as the winner of the 2023 FNB Art Prize, and Tshepiso Mazibuko who won two major prizes in Paris.

Now another photographer and yes- from the same region, is currently enjoying global attention for his photographic work.

In May last year, Thokoza-based photographer Vuyo Mabheka took home one of the photography world’s highest accolades, the 2023/2024 Grand Prix Images Vevey Special Jury Prize for his captivating body of work, Popihuise.  

This month, Vuyo is exhibiting Popihuise at the Biennale Images Vevey in Switzerland at the Musée Jenisch Vevey which began on the 7^th of September and will run until the 29^th of September. This is Switzerland’s most significant visual arts exhibition and will attract over 60 000 visitors from around the world.

 Mabheka Exhibiting “Popihuise” at Biennale Images Vevey in Switzerland

 The rising South African photographer,  Mabheka, is currently showcasing his acclaimed body of work, Popihuise, at the prestigious Biennale Images Vevey in Switzerland. The exhibition will take place from 7 – 29 September at the Musée Jenisch Vevey, and forms part of the award winners’ display at this renowned international biennial.

In 2023, Mabheka was unanimously awarded by a prestigious jury, presided by international photographer Paul Graham, the Images Vevey 2023/2024 Special Jury Prize, one of Europe’s most highly regarded photography accolades. The CHF 40,000 prize, awarded biannually, supports artists in creating groundbreaking work for presentation at the following Biennale. Known for fostering original creation in contemporary photography, the Grand Prix Images Vevey has established itself as a global beacon for visual arts, contributing over CHF 100,000 in financial support to innovative photography projects.

The Biennale Images Vevey, established in 2008, is Switzerland’s largest and most significant visual arts biennial, drawing artists and visitors from across the world. This year’s theme, “(dis)connected”, examines the intersection of nostalgia with the anticipation of an unpredictable future. The event will feature 50 new projects from international artists, attracting over 60,000 visitors.

Mabheka’s Popihuise offers a deeply personal exploration of his childhood memories, growing up in Libode, Eastern Cape, and later, Thokoza, Johannesburg. The term Popihuise, derived from a Xhosa adaptation of the Afrikaans word for “doll’s house,” represents the interplay between imagination and lived experience in his formative years. Mabheka’s art features a unique collage of still images, drawings, and photographs, reflecting his resilience in reimagining difficult realities through the lens of childhood play. His installations draw from the concept of Umkokotelo, a slang term referring to reinvented structures that evoke both nostalgia and resilience.

Speaking on the significance of Mabheka’s achievement, Of Soul and Joy project manager Jabulani Dhlamini commented, “Vuyo embodies our mission at Of Soul and Joy, and we couldn’t be prouder of this monumental achievement. His images are able to at once accommodate, engage and challenge audiences’ perspectives — a rare quality that he is only improving as his understanding of photography deepens.”

Born in 1999 in Libode, South Africa, Vuyo Mabheka’s work has been featured in several group exhibitions, including In Thokoza: Place of Peace (Johannesburg, 2019), Inganekwane (Johannesburg, 2021), and NWU Gallery (Potchefstroom, 2022). He joined the Of Soul and Joy project in 2017 and is currently represented by Afronova Gallery.

It is therefore clear that the rise of photography on the East Rand is not by accident as this is driven by this innovative photography initiative called Of Soul and Joy that witnesses young photographers from the area being mentored by seasoned photographers, and therefore that investment is staring to pay fruits.