Thokoza photographers framing new ways of photography practice in communities

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

The crowd was not huge but the subject they dealt with so huge that dealing with this subject matter where tension, professional ambition and community expectations collide proved to be a subject that could not be exhausted in the two hours allocated. However the conversation flawed nicely as the role of photography is communicated was critically engaged with by the practitioners themselves.

Simply put, it was an important discussion that critically looked at how photography is practised in contemporary South Africa, putting a spotlight on its role, the responsibility of the practitioners to their profession and the community, as well as the ethical obligations that practising photographer face in communities today.

Dr Kholeka Shange, who moderated the Of Soul and Joy discussion titled Thee Frame at Umhlabathi, a photography centre in Newtown, Johannesburg, housing photographers’ studios, a gallery and discussions on Thursday, 26 March, 2026, argued that contrary to popular perception, ordinary black people in townships have a certain level of visual literary.

“’Black people in their homes have always been exposed to photography, including where and how photographs are hanged in the house. And so it is not correct to make the claim that ordinary black South African do not entirely have visual literary. They do,” she said.

Fellow discussant Thandile Zwelibanzi, who is also a mentor at of Soul and Joy, a hugely successful photography initiative in Thokoza, which assists in training young people from the community in photography, said when he started, he was what is ordinarily called a cameraman in township lingo. Basically a cameraman is someone whose photography practice in the township is restricted to only taking portraits. No narrative, just stills, portraits of mainly family members or friends posing together.

“However, I have noticed that the role of a cameraman in our community has been diminished. Even vanished with the arrival of the cellphone,” Zwelibanzi said.

Today, Zwelibanzi is a holder of higher qualifications in art, having been to the famous Market Theatre Photography Workshop as well as holding a BA in fine Arts from Wits.

The discussion, whose theme was The Frame, went deep into the practicalities of practising photography in communities still healing from the scars of a brutal system of apartheid where trust issues are still prevalent today.

“What I like about how photographers of today work, is the practice of collaboration with the communities about whom they are making images. When you speak with each other, there is energy between the photographer and the person about whom an image is being made. This is quite important because in the past, the colonial language of photography has been violent,” pointed out Shange.

Jabulani Dhlamini expressed the view that photographers must approach the people about whom they are making images from the perspective of Ubuntu. “This is a show of respect. And when one collaborates with the people, the result shows in the image that comes out of that,” he reflected.

However, a photographer associated with of Soul and Joy, Unathi, pointed out that there was still confusion in communities about the role and responsibility of a photographer.

“For example, when one is making an image about someone, it is important to have a discussion about where that image will end up, whether it is an exhibition or something else. But an issue arises when as an example say ABSA uses that photograph and puts up advertising banners around town. Often the person whose images was used thinks that they are entitled to a share of the earnings with the photographer. Maybe the solution then is each time we use the image for a purpose different from what originally the intention was, we must go back to the people and explain that now their image will be used for this or that purpose, getting their permission,” he said.

These discussions by Soul and Joy are ongoing, the next one scheduled to take place at Wits University soon. Look out for that one.

Of Soul and Joy was started in 2012, and has so far trained over 100 youth in photography from Thokoza Township on the East Rand. Some of their alumni have gone own to achieve great photographic feat, such as exhibiting internationally and winning prestigious awards, including Thsepiso Mazibuko and Sibusiso Bheka. The two have exhibited internationally and have been awarded handsomely for their effort.