'We Care 4 U Forshore'

The townships of South Africa are not a for the faint hearted. On a recent assignment in Khayelitsha, Cape Town's largest township, I used public transport to and from the location. The pedestrian bridge from the station delivers you into the business part of C Section. There is a woman slaughtering chickens on the pavement, the blood flowing into the storm water drains. There are sheeps heads known as smileys which are being prepared by an elderly man who chuckles as he points out the obvious and calls me 'umlungu'. I hear that phrase just about everyday of my life.

To borrow one of Syd Kitchen's album titles, Africa is not for sissies. A western eye may see a life of hardship but there are signs in the townships of a good life. I love the fact the people do not have walls and razor wire around their homes as in the upmarket suburbs. The kids play in the streets as we did when we were kids. Neighbours gather and talk leaning on gate posts.

A week or so after the image was made I sat and looked at and realised that I had some of the detail. There is a phrase in the top right painting that says 'We Care 4 U Forshore'. After so much bad news recently not just here but globally, I found that strangely encouraging.

I found a great film when I was checking on Syd Kitchen, well worth a look.

When It Rains

When it rains take a moment to consider those living in shacks. Not only is there rain water leaking through the iron roof and seeping through the floors, and a cold wind coming in through every crack in the roughly built shanty. You then have to walk through rivers of mud to get to public transport.

And then you spend the day hoping that the rain subsides so that your home is still there when you get back.

There Will Always Be Goats

I love goats. My brother has a nightmare many years ago which involved a goat. He was assured that the goat had been put on a train to Johannesburg. So when I see goats I think back to that story and smile.

The remnants of the last elections held in South Africa with the face of the ANC's campaign being Thabo Mbeki is also interesting to me. How things have changed as we gear up for elections in 2009. And with the split in the ANC looking imminent to all but those in the ANC, I think we are in for intersting times.

A car under the trees

I was rushing about today, my 4th or 5th trip to school when I finally opened my eyes. And there framed in the cars wind screen was this picture. Well, the horizontal version of it! I hope I have not been driving around with my eyes wide shut for too long.

Rebuilding Homes - Again

Another shack fire during winter in Durban. It was no the last. And by summer the fires will be spreading through Cape Town informal settlements, respecting no persons, seemingly targeting the poorest.

When is it going to end?

Zuma Supporters

Zuma supporters were out in numbers on the day the judge found he had been unlawfully prosecuted.

Ballroom

I have always loved dance but there was something special watching this couple doing the jive. Brought tears to my eyes, a little like watching my own kids growing up.

One Room Living

Just when we thought we were about to pop burst at the seams I stumbled on this picture made earlier this year. The one roomed flat is part of an Umlazi flat, a remnant of the Apartheid inspired mens hostels. The hostels are being upgraded, doing away with communal bathrooms, wash rooms and kitchens.

Fire in my conscience

'Is that smoke?' I said to Lucy. 'Too black to be grass?' she replied.

A part of the Kennedy Road informal settlement was burning so I raced over. I was shooting as soon as I could but knew from experience that I was going to have get to the fire. I had made a few image of people carrying their most valued possessions as the smoke plumed behind them.

I then came across a few men busy ripping shacks walls off and breaking down doors. They were not looting but trying to rescue others possessions who had already left for work.

It was at this point that I was struggling to justify my being there and not helping. With my camera slung over my back I began kicking down doors and helping where I could. I would then make a few pictures and help a little more.

These people have lost everything and I have a great set of pictures!?

Bubbles

It is holiday time!

Bottom and Top

Berg Sunrise

Xenophobia - The Innocent

A child is bathed in the Parish Building of the Catholic Cathedral in Durban where foreign nationals seek refuge from xenophobia inspired violence, May 24 2008.

Xenophobia

It sickens me to see South Africans behave in the manor that has seen foreign nationals living in our country flocking for safety to police stations and churches. How can we as Africans turn on Africans with such rage and hatred.

Retro Chair

I photographed a person walking out of a subway in London when a student which started a string of images made with people walking out of them. I still love to make similar (but different) photographs but like to photograph some scenes devoid of people.

I feel a series brewing.

Paranoid?

Baobab Sunset

The light was great and I just had to do the obligatory through-the-windscreen picture. Thanks Andy for not hitting the jackal very soon after this picture was made.

Hides in the City

A freshly skinned cow hide is layed out to dry on the pavement in Durban. It will be used to make traditional Zulu instruments, weapons and garments in an old cinema complex near to the port.

More pictures to come.

The Guards Chair

Certain Defeat

Nigerian fans look on as their beach soccer team crashes out of the World Cup Qualifier in Durban.

Muscle Man and the Big Sky

I was photographing CASCOLAND recently which continues until the 16th of March 2008 which was good fun. One of the art works is a portable splash pool which was where I found the muscle man. The kids were doing what they do best. They were being kids!

A Sneak Preview

A taste of the essay I am currently working on. More to come.

My New Favourite Treasure

The Other Brighton Beach

Dusi sunrise

Canoes cover the ground ahead of the 3rd and final day of the Dusi Canoe Marathon.