10 Years

For its 10th year anniversary and the 4th edition of its Photo festival, Of Soul and Joy is celebrated the diversity and richness of its young photographers with this commemoration book.

“One of the successful activities of the programme is the Of Soul and Joy PhotoFest in Thokoza – a local photography festival showcasing the work of the students to a local and broader public. This festival offers the opportunity for many school kids and their parents to attend a visual arts exhibition in their own area, that also deals with subject matter that is accessible, opening up discussion about society, art, generations, youth cultures, and other contemporary issues. Through this, local audiences are developed, which is of growing importance for a self-sustaining creative industry in South Africa.

Thokoza, of course, is a township of historical importance. In the early 1990’s it was the place of great violence between local residents, affiliated to opposing politi- cal movements. Violence erupted regularly and hundreds of people were killed at the time when bans on political parties were removed, in preparation towards democracy. This was also the time of the conflict photographers, photojournalists, that photographed this intense moment of history known as The Bang Bang Club.” - John Fleetwood

IN THOKOZA

Thokoza*, a Zulu word for ‘‘Rejoice’’, is a township located in the southeast of Johannesburg. It was created in the 50’s and has become the second biggest black township after Soweto. Today, we hope that the “forgotten” township of Thokoza will follow the step of Soweto, a well-known Johannesburg township which has become a meeting point, a place of culture and energy.

DALESIDE

2020 DALESIDE Commission by Rubis Mécénat to Lindokuhle Sobekwa and Cyprien Clément-Delmas GOST Books / Rubis Mécénat Texts by Sean O’Toole

FREE FROM MY HAPPINESS

FREE FROM MY HAPPINESS - Sibusiso Bheka At night, they walk with me - Tshepiso Mazibuko Encounters - Lindokuhle Sobekwa Nyaope. Everything you give me my Boss, will do Texts by Sean O’Toole

OSJ Photo Collective

THE OF SOUL AND JOY PHOTO COLLECTIVE