Of Soul & Joy’s 5th Edition Photo Festival showcases young photographic talents from communities around the county
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
It was indeed a day of celebrating story telling through the eyes of young photographers from around the country, including villages, townships and even hostels, often places that are on the margin of society. Often forgotten and neglected, and yet rich in stories, raw and clearly demonstrating that when great minds come together and resources are used to uplift and assist marginalised societies particularly the youth to reimagine a better world, anything is possible, these visual stories are powerful.
I am talking about the Of Soul & Joy’s 5th Edition Photo Festival that took place
in Thokoza, East of Johannesburg at Buhlebuzile Secondary School on Saturday, 18 October 2025, markingthe project’s 13 years of continuous impact in townships and rural areas, empowering the youth through the practice of photography and storytelling.
The powerful visual images that in many ways are a mirror of the societies from where the young visual minds come from, a portrait of the human condition in those places, were a delight to the eye and reminded the festival goers about the potential of powerful story telling that is in communities and the possibility of changing narratives if communities are empowered and supported to shine a light on their communities.
From Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Merafe Hostel in Soweto, powerful stories about their immediate communities, the young photographers told their stories of hope, sometimes despair, but also the possibilities that exist in those communities to control their own narratives and how they would like to be seen and understood by those that come from elsewhere.
I was particularly struck by some of the images, that instead of showing despair due to challenges such as poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunities in some of these marginalised societies, some photographers chose to document the beauty that is found there.
For example Xiluva Mageza who is a young photographer from Tzaneen, Limpopo, captured the beauty that is often exuded by XiTsonga women when they are dressed in their famous colourful regalia, such as an image of two women he photographed in their traditional dress. This image is not beautiful simply because of the colourful regalia they are adorned in. It is also because there was a lot of thinking on the part of the photographer in how he captured this elegance. Instead of the women facing the camera, they are looking the other way, forcing you as the viewer, instead of being distracted by their gazing eyes looking at the camera, you are instead forced to gaze at the beautiful clothes they are wearing.
Another picture that just demonstrates the potential to create great visual story tellers that exist among the ranks of communities when supported and mentored, is one image captured by a young photographer called Katiso Mthembu, who captured beautifully a railway line, framing the rail infrastructure so well that you are even reminded of the beauty of travelling by train when rail travel was beautiful and reliable, particularly long distance travel. The young photographer was excited to meet two of the country’s leading photographers Andrew Tshabangu and Sphiwe Mhlambi with who he was excited to have an opportunity to pose with for a picture as the two veterans passed by to view his powerful image.
This community event as free to attend and was a celebratory experience of the transformative power of the arts in South African society while recognising the abundance of talent in Thokoza and surrounding communities that OSJ has positively influenced.
And so this is how this project became a success over the years.
Over the past 13 years, OSJ whose project manager seasoned photographer Jabulani Dhlamini, has trained emerging photographers from Thokoza and surrounding areas, equipping them with the skills to tell meaningful stories and participate in the global creative landscape. Many alumni have gone on to international recognition, with exhibitions, awards, and residencies that highlight the power of photography as a tool for social change, as the project manager Dhlamini notes:
“The best achievement is the impact it has made on the students, industry, and community at large. It brings a special dynamic to the creative industry by encouraging collective work and collaboration with all the local players. Some of our beneficiaries have become successful professional photographers with work that has won awards and been exhibited internationally. We support them over the long term, encouraging them and celebrating their successes, with many of them, in turn, become mentors for the project.”
Of particular interest at the festival was the number of seasoned photographers that attended the event, including internationally renowned names, such as Shabangu, who currently has a solo show at Gallery MoMo in Parktown North and Sphiwe Mhlambi who has over the years emerged as the country’s leading jazz photographer whose images of live jazz performances are in huge demand internationally.
Both photographers spoke to CITYLIFE/ARTS of the need to support initiatives that centre photography, such as this festival. Both photographers were happy to witness young photographic talent on display at the event.
In essence the 5th OSJ Photo Festival featured a vibrant program that included exhibitions, talks, performances, and interactive activities for the public. Attendees had the opportunity to explore projects from the Merafe Hostel, rural KwaZulu-Natal’s Nquthu and Nkandla, and Tzaneen, Limpopo, through screenings, prints, and live discussions.
Festival Highlights and Programme:
- All Day: Outdoor exhibitions by OSJ photographers and mentors, interactive photo studio, Camera Obscura, face painting, and photo booth games with special prizes.
- 13:00 – 13:45: Of Soul & Joy and its Success Stories – A play by the Sabelo Makhubu Foundation, followed by a talk with OSJ alumni Tshepiso Mazibuko and Sibusiso Bheka on how photography transformed their lives.
- 13:45 – 14:30: Empowering Women Through Photography – A performance by beneficiaries of Merafe Hostel with the Musawamaswazi Community Organisation, accompanied by a talk with mentors Tshepiso Mabula, Naledi Mkupa, and OSJ student Life Ngubeni, exploring the experience of women in the arts.
- 14:30 – 15:30: Live music by the Buhlebuzile Alumni Jazz Band.
- 15:30 – 16:00: Using Cinema as a Tool for Expression with Cinema Take – Screenings of films created by OSJ students and a talk with Muriel Huet, Mpumelelo Mcata, and students Lerato Hashe and Millicent Hatibaki.
- 16:00 – 17:00: Raising Awareness About Photography in Remote Communities – Traditional dance by Merafe Hostel Girls (Musawamaswazi Community Organisation), followed by a discussion with mentors Jabulani Dhlamini, Thandile Zwelibanzi, and Swazi Tshabalala about OSJ outreach workshops in rural areas and hostels.
Featured Speakers and Mentors:
- Jabulani Dhlamini, documentary photographer and OSJ project manager, whose acclaimed work explores post-apartheid South Africa, collective memory, and personal narratives.
- Sibusiso Bheka, Thokoza-born photographer known for evocative nighttime township imagery, internationally exhibited and awarded.
- Naledi Mkupa, South African visual artist passionate about self-expression and social commentary through photography.
- Thandile Zwelibanzi, currently based in Mogale City, is the sixth recipient of the Edward Ruiz Mentorship at the Market Photo Workshop. His body of work produced through the mentorship has been exhibited extensively, including at the 9th Rencontres de Bamako African Biennial in Mali.
- Tshepiso Mabula, documentary photographer and member of the Umhlabathi Collective.
- Mpumelelo Mcata, filmmaker, musician, and cultural activist, widely recognized for his work with the BLK JKS.
- Muriel Huet, social entrepreneur, education activist, and film curator with 18 years of experience exploring cinema and cultural exchange.