From the African Streets: See my city

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from the African Streets

VOLUME I AUGUST 2023

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.

AUGUST 2023
Anesu-Tendesai Chikumba

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)

AUGUST 2023
Unpub lished
see my city:
FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1 E T H O P I A Fekadu Baye Belay| Life style: Mixco street, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023 3

Fekadu Baye Belay| Bole street: Beautiful Sky, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023

4 E T H O P I A
FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1 Paul Addo| Accra Central High Street, Accra, Ghana, 2023 G H A N A 5
G H A N A 6
Paul Addo | Airport City, Accra, Ghana, 2022. Paul Addo | Ridge Business Area, Accra, Ghana, 2022.

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1

G H A N A 7
Abraham Acquah | Ring Road, Accra Ghana, 2023
S O U T H A F R I C A Bantubahle Khotso Mahlangu| Archive, Johannesburg, South Africa 2015 8

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1

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| Calmer
South Africa 2015 S O U T H A F R I C A 10
Phopolo Maloka
Harbour, Durban,
Phopolo Maloka | Loner (Santech
between buildings), Johannesburg, South Africa 2015 FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1 S O U T H A F R I C A 11
tower shot

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

S U D A N 12

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.

T A N Z A N I A 14

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1

U G A N D A
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Butsya Smith | Night traffic, Kampala, Uganda, 2023
U G A N D A 16
Derrick Magezi Kagena|Boda Boda, Kampala, Uganda, 2023

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.

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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.

Z A M B I A 18
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| My City in Noir 1, Harare, Zimbabwe, 2023
FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
Usher Nyambi
Z I M B A B W E 20
Nyambi | My City in Noir 2, Harare, Zimbabwe, 2023
Usher
21 Thamsanqa Sibanda | Gijima mfana, Donnington, KoBulawayo, 2023
FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1

Thamsanqa Sibanda | Ngisake ngikhumbule kahle, Donnington, KoBulawayo, 2023

Z I M B A B W E 22

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."

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1 23
2. Umoya wami awusekho la. 1. Gijima mfana. 3. Ngisake ngikhumbule kahle.

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.

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5. Ngabe ubaba uyasebenza. 4. Ngabe ngiyasebenza. THAMSANQA SIBANDA, UMOYA WAMI SERIES, KO BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE, 2023.
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Thamsanqa Sibanda | Ngabe ubaba uyasebenza, Donnington, KoBulawayo, Zimbabwe, 2023

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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.

Hafsa boraei Mohammed (Sudan) is a photojournalist and street photographer covering a wide range of human rights issues affecting in the lives of the people in Sudan. She has worked with AFP and Save the Children. 26

Unpub lished

Unpublished collaborates with storytellers in order to find new and creative ways of uncovering and telling the African story while providing a space for like-minded creatives to build a community that encourages collaboration, curiosity, and confidence.

We are a platform committed to creating and facilitating events and activities that encourage the sustained advancement of (documentary) photographers and their invaluable work – while prioritizing the growth of the African emerging visual storyteller.

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BUSINESS Creative Studio

Creative Business Studio is a six week virtual program created and facilitated by Unpublished.

The program assists African emerging visual storytellers, andr creatives, ready to professionalize their craft. The program gives the participants access to workshops and consultations with industry professionals.

Cohort 1 Testimonials

“The Creative Business Studio cohort was a purpose-driven learning experience for me. The core discussions were universal and quite essential.

I learnt how to distill my core values and goals into simple language that I could communicate to my partners and customers through the various channels such as branding. I also gained some insight into sturdy finance practices and a few tips on how to keep my operations sustainable.

My creative business is positioned to serve other creatives, and so it was also beneficial to network other passionate creatives and begin conversations on collaboration. This program was quite timely, and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of it."

"Being part of the Online residency was very enriching in multiple ways. It opened my mind up to different aspects of my work that I was aware of but not actively working to improve and showed my how I can better in those areas. It was also great to meet all the other cohort members and have open dialogue on what issues we were facing and see how others conduct their businesses because peers are always a great learning resource especially in such a wide and talented pool. All in all i’d advise more people to apply for any future programmes that may arise because they really help sharpen your skills and focus on growing your practice."

W O R K O F U N P U B L I S H E D A F R I C A
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Contributors of this publication were invited to exhibit their owrk at the exhibition held at Pikicha Gallery in Harare, Zimbabwe in collaboration with Pamoyo Gallery and Samora Central.

Beyond your day to day, do you really see your city?

Our cities and towns are spaces that need to be recognized for all they carry; the history of those that walked before us and the potential of all that could come from those that fill them daily. While each city has its own ebb and flow, from sunrise to sunset, one thing remains consistent from city to city and country to country – we need more stories documented and shared by our visual storytellers. Photographers have narrative power and the photographs in this exhibition were more than just snapshots of reality. They introduced old spaces in new ways while highlighting a resilience that brings people back to these spaces daily.

City Life: Resilience through work from 12 photographers showcased moments captured in 9 cities. With some being drawn to the busyness and others being more interested in the quiet moments of their city, each visual storyteller contributed their own unique take.

Street photography requires the photographer to be discrete, quick and observant to capture such moments. The photographs in this exhibition were not only a testament to the power of street photography but to the need for more platforms that share and celebrate the hidden beauty of our cities as seen through the lens of the African photographer.

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1 W O R K O F U N P U B L I S H E D A F R I C A
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from the African Streets

AUGUST 2023
Unpub lished hello@unplished.africa
with creators for the African narrative.
Collaborating

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