from the African Streets
see my city:
A reality life offers us is in both good and bad existing at the same time. Another is in how our opinions can be shaped by the information we take in, which more often than not leads us to conclude that something is either good or bad. The stories we hear, see and share have impact. When the call out was made for this volume, the first sentence read: You have narrative power.
While it was to the photographer interested in sharing their work, this phrase holds true for all of us as we all play a role in shaping the narrative surrounding our cities. Visual storytelling is dynamic; transcending language and literacy barriers. The African photographer is in an interesting position as with a growing interest in African stories, who else is in a better position to narrate them?
As you go through this photography focused publication, I encourage you to not only join us in celebrating the photographer’s work and all it beholds, but to bring to mind the narratives you have had surrounding the cities showcased and be open to having them challenged. The theme “See my city” is a call to action, and an encouragement to see our continent for all it is.
see my city:
Accra, Ghana
Paul Addo (5,6)
Abraham Acquah (7)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fekadu Baye Belay (3,4)
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Thamsanqa Sibanda (21-24)
Daar es Salaam, Tanzania
Malembo Simbano (13,14)
Durban, South Africa
Phopolo Maloka (9,10)
Harare, Zimbabwe
Usher Nyambi (19,20)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Bantubahle Mhlangu (8)
Phopolo Maloka (11)
Kamplala, Uganda
Butsya Smith (15)
Derrick Magezi Kagena (16)
Kartoum / Toti Island,Sudan
Hafsa boraei Mohammed (12)
Lusaka, Zmbia
Maingaila Muvundika (17,18)
Fekadu Baye Belay| Bole street: Beautiful Sky, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023
FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
Hafsa Boraei Mohammed | The capital is in the arms of the island, Khartoum, 2020
This is a picture of the capital taken from the island of Toti
FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
Malembo Simbano | Dar es Salaam, 2022
The biggest and busiest port in Tanzania which serves as a gate for Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Zambia and DRC Congo.
FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
Maingaila Muvundika|Undressed, Lusaka, 2022
The mannequins the street vendors in the CBD use were always clothed when I would see them but once I got this internship, I saw the CBD in its set up phase because of how early I would pass through it.
Maingaila Muvundika | Lusaka Under Construction, Lusaka, 2022
Taken deep in Ibex Hill. Construction has spread like a wild fire. Everywhere you look, the city is being smothered in cement and concrete block as everyone builds their dream property.
Thamsanqa Sibanda | Ngisake ngikhumbule kahle, Donnington, KoBulawayo, 2023
Simply put "Oh Run Boy, Oh Boy" this is a desperate plea from an unlucky employee who was grabbed by retrenchment and chucked away to the confines of his campestral environs. Now he asks his pal who's assumedly in town oftenly or rather still employed as shown by the company logo (WT is acronym for Western Transport which is a courier and logistics company) at the back of the worksuit which the cyclist is wearing, to go and lend an eye at their workplace and implore from the would-be employers for a second time of employment as his retirement was impromptu and way too soon.wami awusekho la, Donnington, KoBulawayo, Zimbabwe, 2023
No words would can fully articulate the message and feeling that title together with the image carries. Perhaps "take me aback to the good olden days" or "heal a butchered, bruised and tortured soul" comes closer, but NO! somethings are better off left unsaid.
Memories, nostalgia and rememberance are part and parcel of this shot. Big factories that were operational and head-quartering the largest companies in the nation during their hey days are now reduced, left and turned into churches today. In every chat I have had with an elderly who worked during "thuntu ziyathunqa" era passing through the site invokes a poignant feeling and always initiates a long chat detailing how the productive, busy and beautiful the place used to be. That's why the piece is called ngisake ngikhumbule kahle which means "Let me remember."
I was in Old Pumula - an old and notorious neighborhood in Bulawayo and it had been raining that whole day. I made this shot around 4 - 5PM, towards the day end and the shops area of the hoods tends to usually get busy. I was drawn to the icecream vendor who was pushing his cart to knock off. Something was not alright, because who could really buy an ice-cream when it was a wet and cold day worse off in area where there were other important stuff to buy than just an ice-cream? But here the man was with no sales for the day. Fighting to put food on the table, a lot of people end up doing unimaginable jobs and jobs they wouldn't do if ever because of job scarcity, hence the title of the shot which translates to "If only I was working" and here, working a proper job.
A very personal and heartfelt piece for me because "If only my father was working" maybe I could have been a doctor, lawyer or doing any of the praised professions in the society. However due to the laying off of staff at his work it meant that out upbringing together with my siblings was tough as every cent that was to be made was now saved for things of paramount importance which itself was never enough for our faring and affording us some privileges.
Umoya Wami, a series by Thamsanqa Sibanda, inspired by the song by Lovemore Majaivane which speaks to the scars left by the deinindustrialization of Bulawayo. His father was retrenched when the company he was working for was closed, Thamsanqa shares his story while documenting a pale shadow of a former industrial hub.
Thamsanqa Sibanda | Ngabe ubaba uyasebenza, Donnington, KoBulawayo, Zimbabwe, 2023
VOLUME 1 | AUGUST 2023 see my city:
Fekadu Baye Belay (Ethopia) is a visual storyteller working in the media industry in Ethopia.
Paul Addo (Ghana) specialises in capturing moments and telling stories through his lens, focusing on documentary, landscape, and event photography. His work showcases quiet moments on busy streets.
Abraham Acquah (Ghana) is a street photographer who enjoys macro and abstract photography.His work challenges the gap between the lower class and the upper class neighbourhoods.
Bantubahle Khotso Mahlangu (South Africa) is documentary and portrait photographer whose journey has found him working with BBC Africa, Standard Bank South Africa, Redbull , and Investec just to name a few. He is also committed to documenting Jazz in South Africa.
Phopolo Maloka (South Africa) is an architecture and landscape photographer. He has worked with Mzansi Cribs Makeover' on DStv Mzansi Magic, YCC and MetGetUp. He finds a different or interesting way of capturing general landscape.
FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS
Malembo Simbano (Tanzania) is a photographer with over 6 years experience. He has a keen interest in climate justice and his work explores this while showcasing Africa’s beauty.
Butsya Smith (Uganda) is a street photographer who capture the beautiful scenes around his city. His work encourages the viewer to appreciate Kampala as he does.
Derrick Magezi Kagena (Uganda) is a documentary photographer capturing authentic moments that people can relate to. He has worked with the Ugandan Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and fisheries as well as non profits such as Strong Minds.
Maingaila Muvundika (Zambia) is a portrait and conceptual photographer who has had his work published on PhotoVogue, i-D magazine, and the magazine cover for Nkwazi Magazine while having his work commissioned by Canva. He has also participated in several exhibitions.
Usher Nyambi (Zimbabwe) is inspired by the goal of connecting people and telling authentic African stories through his work. He is also a writer contributing to GQ South Africa, Okay Africa and Mud Journal.
Thamsanqa Sibanda (Zimbabwe) is documentary photographer telling stories surrounding current affairs, climate change, social injustices and provocative humanitarian issues. His work is heavily influenced by minimalist approach, fine art and traditional reportage work.
