Lizane Louw.Photojournalism.

People in Blikkies. An Insult to our Young Democracy

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:01:00 +0000

They live in one of the poorest communities in Delft of the Cape Flats. Only 30 km from the beautiful and cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. This is a forgotten community that are kept hostage by their unfortunate circumstances. They are subjected to violent crimes, rape and robberies everyday. Most families live in substandard living conditions and most of them are dependent on the goodwill of others.

Blikkiesdorp was built by the City of Cape Town in 2007 by the current premier Helen Zille, she was the mayor of Cape Town at the time. Blikkiesdorp is the Afrikaans word derived from Tin Can Town. The residents of the camp gave it the name because of the look and feel of the structures. Rows upon rows of iron and tin structures, neatly spaced, Blikkies/ Tins in rows.

Today 16000 people from all the racial demographics in South Africa call these steel structures and the sand dunes surrounding it, home. The monotone structures and grey palette of the scenery leaves you with little to be excited about. The residents live in close proximity to each other in 18 square meter tin and corrugated iron structures. Four structures share the ablution facilities and this also creates very unhygienic living conditions, as each structure houses between 5 to 15 people.

Even though all the heartache and pain that these people are suffering breaks your heart, the sense of positivity and will to survive is contagious. Many community members run their own little shops to provide the necessities for every day survival. Living from hand to hand, day to day, caring for and looking after each other.

I have known community leaders in the camp for over three years and in the time that I have been shooting there, little have been done to protect these vulnerable human beings. More people are standing in cues for houses and the camp is seen as a temporary solution to housing problems. Daily people are taken off the streets and allocated structures. More people, more crime.

Over the last three years Blikkiesdorp has been featured in various local, national and international publications and the negative publicity resulting from this is having a very negative impact on the community. Little is being done to change the current situation and the residents feel that they have been forgotten. Some even compare their living conditions to that of dogs living in kennels or to a concentration camp.

The media has referred to Blikkiesdorp as District 9, from the international hit movie made in South Africa. Local Newspapers reported about this on their front pages. Still nothing is being done about the living conditions of these poor individuals who are still fighting the elements, crime and poverty every day, to survive.

I started this project in Memory of Ouma, one of the oldest residents of Blikkies who starved, whilst the whole world was playing soccer in Cape Town.

Blikkiesdorp

OUMA

Through the eyes of a child

Portrait of Ouma Magdelena

Magdalena van Wyk passed away in 2010. She died of severe TB and starvation. The feeding schemes of Government and associated institutions are not serving the needs of the ever-growing community. When I met Ouma Magdalena in 2009, there were only 4000 residents in Blikkies. Today there are 16000 inhabitants. Some of them " Bergies" or street people, that was taken of the roads of Cape Town just before the World Cup in 2010. This amounted to a huge increase of people in the camp.

Portrait of Ouma Johanna

Johanna photographed in 2009 with her favourite green dress. She passed away in 2010. She died of starvation.

Ouma Johanna sitting outside her "house", she was a mother to the community, a leader and loved to be photographed.Ouma Johanna passed away in 2010. She died of starvation

Streets with no name

The Mask

Politics

Untitled

Swing

Playground

Garbage dump

Shade

Toy Soldiers

Untitled

Canned

Proud Afrikaans nurse

The Victor Family

Adeen Victor sitting in the Family structure in Blikkiesdorp. In the foreground is a picture of Adeen when she was three.

Elna and Adeen Victor sitting in their structure in Blikkiesdorp. We had a discussion on the wedding portrait and Faan and Elna's wedding. Adeen Remarked. "That woman there in that picture, she is not my mom. " I found this interesting and asked why she said that, because a few minutes ago she said that it is her mom and dad's wedding portrait. Adeen aswered. "You see, that woman in that picture, she is smiling, my mother does not smile anymore.

True Love

Adeen and Anton found love

Braiding

Cancer

Eileen Plaatjies was diagnosed with Cancer last year. The doctors that was treating her, gave up hope and said there is nothing more to be done to help her in her fight against the disease. According to her care givers, neighbors and woman from the Blikkiesdorp community, she was given two bottles of Liquid Morphine to drink and was send home from Hospital.

Family time.

The Colerigde and Cloete Family.

Here Sharon Coleridge is feeding Duwayne Cloete, Luevanna Coleridge, Shannon-Lee Colerigde and Melissa Cloete shares interesting gossip.

Everywhere in the streets little groups of people playing Dominoes.

Dominoes

Zelda Schritten with her young boy Zievan.The van der Westhuizen family lives in a shack in a Veld in Belhar. They are living without access to fresh running water, electricity and access to toilets. I spend some time in the beginning of winter 2009 with a Family that live in a veld in Belhar.The van der Westhuizens are one of seven families living on a piece of land that became their “Veld-dorp”.The remaining seven families living in the “Veld-Dorp” refuse to relocate to Blikkiesdorp, a housing project that provides temporary shelter for the poor and homeless on the Cape Flats. Many of the previous residents of this veld were removed and received temporary housing in Blikkiesdorp. The crimes in Blikkiesdorp, the violence, robberies and rapes have kept these families from moving.All the families, are dependent on donations of food packages and clothing for their survival, as none of them are employed and they struggle to make a living of the state grants that they receive.

HOPE

The streets of Blikkiesdorp or as some called it, the "human" dumping ground.

THE PROJECT

In Association with Uthango® Social Investments and Eclipse PR, I am currently working on a project in Blikkiesdorp, a temporary relocation area in Delft, Cape Town South Africa.
The partners share a mission to use their respective strengths to bring about social change – starting with documenting realities of a marginalized area in Cape Town, and in our immediate environment, Blikkiesdorp. We want to play a role to communicate the messages of people living and working in difficult socio-economic circumstances, but also to act upon those messages with a sustainable initiative in the form of establishing a photography-based social enterprise. (It is central in our collaboration to develop an appropriate model linking photo-journalism to publicity/advocacy and longer-term social impact - without affecting the objective role of reporting current truths). Uthango® Social Investments works intimately with communities to solve challenges, but require resources to implement sustainable solutions in areas such as Blikkiesdorp:
This shanty town was built by the City of Cape Town in 2007 by then Mayor Helen Zille. It contains approximately 1,600 one room structures. The structures have walls and roofs made of thin tin and zinc sheets. They are of 18 square meters in size. Ablution, sanitation, and water facilities are shared between four structures. NGOs, international human rights organizations, and the Anti-Eviction Campaign have publicly criticized the conditions in Blikkiesdorp but conditions remain appalling and stand in stark contrast with the rest of cosmopolitan Cape Town. Together we plan to raise the profile of Blikkiesdorp in an a-political way. We believe that images – combined with the appeals from local residents – would result in action. More importantly, action should be constructed in a sustainable way by producing market-driven products from photographs, as we currently find that empathy with the community is expressed via hand-outs from companies and individuals alike.

I have worked as a photojournalist in South Africa for 4 years and had work published in locally and internationally. I completed a Digital Masters course with Africa Media online in 2008, I currently work on commercial projects and when I have time, I visit Blikkiesdorp.

The exhibition resulting from the project would be my first solo exhibition. Funding would be spend on the last three phases of the project, Phase 2: Images Capture & Release, Phase 3 Advocacy, Publicity, Exhibition & Sales (Income from Postcards to Beneficiaries), Phase 4 Recommendations for Sustainable Development. We hope that our initiative would refocus attention to the community in Blikkiesdorp and give the people of Tin Town back their pride.

Lizane Louw Photojournalist

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PHOTOJOURNALISM PORTFOLIO

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:04:00 +0000

I want to present the following photographs as my Photojournalism Portfolio. It was rather difficult to choose a selection out of a archive covering years of documentary photography.

These photographs were chosen because of the social impact they had at the time of publication and also the news worthinesses each had during the time when I was covering the stories.

My aim with photojournalism and documentary photography is to put focus on the human condition and to create an awareness of the events that I document through visual storytelling. I want to inform, enlighten, educate and guide people to make the change in the world that they want to see.

Big Boys Dont't Cry

16/01/2009.Bonteheuwel, Cape Flats.Rashaad Staggies daughter was shot in a police raid, in Bonteheuwel. The mystery shots that landed Ingrid Jacobs in hospital with two wounds in the stomach was allegedly fired by the police. The incident happened when the police raided a well known tik-den in Safraan Street in Bonteheuwel. An official attempted murder docket was opened, after it came to light that one of the bystanders filmed the shooting. Igrid was watching the raid through metal plates serving as a wall when the shots were fired. The police arrested 10 alleged drug dealers and confiscated illegal substances and money. Six grams of tik with a street value of R2 000 and R1 800 cash was found.The investigation continues.

Once Upon A Dream

05/12/2008. Ingrid de Haast, Miss South Africa 1953, reflecting on her years as a beauty queen and Hollywood actress in the 1950's.

Back to Pollsmoor

12/20/2007. A Gang of 10 armed robbers, robbed the Pick and Pay and surrounding shops in Ceres, a small village in the Western Cape. Here one of the 10 men accused of armed robbery is seen climbing in to the truck that will transport them back to Pollsmoor Prison.

Forgotten

11/19/2009. Caledon, South Africa.Mnr. Arnolds Plaatjies and his wife Alithea van Breda in their humble home on a farm near Caledon in the Western Cape South Africa. During 2009 the farming communities in the Western Cape were once again under the Human Rghts spotlight. Many stories were published about the poor living conditions some of the farmworkers on farms are living in and questions were raised about farmers and their treatment of their workers. Mr. Plaatjies fell terminially ill on a farm and his elderly wife, Alithea van Breda had to resign from her job to nurse her partner.At the time of my visit to the elderly couple the farmer had threatened to forcefully remove the couple and leave them to live on the street. Mr. Plaatjies has not received any medical treament and lives withou water and electricity. The house is torn and the elderly couple is left to fend the ellements and extreme conditions they are living in.

Forgotten

11/19/2009. The last portrait of mnr Arnolds Plaatjies. Sadly he passed away three days after this photograph was taken.

GUILTY!

05/02/2009.Cape Town High Court. The court case of Music Legend Taliep Petersen. Thursday 5 February 2009. Najwa Petersen enters court 1. Loud applause broke out in Court, when Judge Siraj Desai sentenced Najwa Petersen to 28 years in jail, for masterminding the contract killing of her husband, Taliep Petesen. The Petesen family shouted remarks from the gallery as the judge read out the sentence of the four accused. Her two co-accused Abdoer Raasiet Emjedi and Waheed Hassen, were both sentenced to 24 years for the murder, with Hassen getting an additional one-year prison term for the unlawful possession of a firearm. Jefferson Snyders,accused number four, was sentenced to 10 years for his robbery conviction, three years of which were suspended. Many curious family members and friends of the accused, were waiting outside the gates of the High Court, as the three men were escorted away. Najawa followed a couple of hours later when the crowds dispersed.

HOPE

21/05/2009. Belhar, Cape Flats. Cape Town. South Afica. Janica van der Westhuizen lives with her parents in a shack in a Veld in Belhar. They are living without access to fresh running water, electricity and access to toilets. I spend some time in the beginning of winter 2009 with the family. The van der Westhuizens are one of seven families living on a piece of land that became their “Veld-dorp”.The remaining seven families living in the “Veld-Dorp” refuse to relocate to Blikkiesdorp, a housing project that provides temporary shelter for the poor and homeless on the Cape Flats. Many of the previous residents of this veld were removed and received temporary housing in Blikkiesdorp. The crimes in Blikkiesdorp, the violence, robberies and rapes have kept these families from moving.All the families, are dependent on donations of food packages and clothing for their survival, as none of them are employed and they struggle to make a living of the state grants that they receive.

Survival

21/05/2009. Belhar, Cape Flats. Cape Town. South Afica. Zelda Schritten with her young boy Zievan. The van der Westhuizen family lives in a shack in a Veld in Belhar. They are living without access to fresh running water, electricity and access to toilets. None of the family members are employed and they struggle to make a living of the state grants that they receive.

A Small Miracle

27/03/2009. Atlantis.Lee-Shaan (4) Van der Byl from Atlantis on the Cape Flats, lost both her legs due to Meningitus. With her is her mom, Felicity Van der Byl.

Invictus

27/03/2009.Cape Town. The American Actors, Matt Damon and Kyle Eastwood, playing the parts of Franscois Pienaar and Joel Stransky in the movie, Invictus. This is one of the scenes in the movie were the Captain and his team is seen walking from the hotel to the bus that is taking them to the rugby stadium.

Ouma

16/04/2009. Blikkiesdorp. Cape Flats, Cape Town. South Africa. Ouma Magdalena ( 90) is the eldest resident of Blikkiesdorp on the Cape Flats. The residents of Blikkiesdorp live in one of the poorest communities on the Cape Flats and are subjected to violent crimes, rape and robberies. 4000 People call these steel structures and the sand dunes surrounding it, home. They live in close proximity to each other and the family atmosphere that binds all these poor individuals together brought tears to my eyes. The monotone structures and grey palette of the scenery leaves you with little to be exited about. It was not until I met Ouma that my mind changed. I was seeing a different world through my lens and I was learning how these unfortunate people can have such colourful lives amidst the emptiness and greys.Even though all the heartache and pain that these people are suffering breaks your heart, the sense of positivity and will to survive is contagious. Many community members run their own little shops to provide the necessities for every day survival. Living from hand to hand, day to day. Caring for and looking after each other.I was moved by the simplicity of the people, their will to survive, the feeling of community. I left Blikkiesdorp wondering what it is that binds people together in difficulty like that. This particular feature on Blikkiesdorp inspired a positive atmosphere in the community.

XENOPHOBIA

23/05/2008.Summergreens. A young mother and her family opened their hearts and gave hundrends of displaced Somalians food and tea in their garden in Summergreens, during the first violent Xenophobic attacks in Cape Town during May 2008. Thousands of people were displaced and after months, either relocated, were deported or returned to their countries out of fear of Xenophobic persecution.

Fish and Chips

26/03/2009. Grand Parade Cape Town. Mnr. Mustafa Parker eating Fish and Chips during a busy luch time in the Grand Parade in Cape Town.

Umshimi Wam

20/03/2009. Langa Township. Mr. Jacob Zuma entertaining crowds of supporters in Langa with his song, Umshimi Wam, at the Langa Massacre Commemoration on Human Rights Day. This photo was taken before Mr Zuma, became the president of South Africa.

Strike

09/07/2009.Cape Town. South Africa.Thousands of construction workers were on strike around South Africa in July 2009.The workers were protesting following a wage dispute.The strike actions took place at big stadia and the time might have influenced the completion of buildings and infrastructure put in place for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. According to an agreement between unions and government no one is allowed to strike until 31 October 2010. This made the stirkes illegal. Most of the strikings workers are represented by the National Union of Mineworkers ( Num) and Building Construction and Alied Workers Union ( Bcawu). The World Cup of 2010 was a huge success, but the thousands of construction workers working on the stadia throughout the country are now unemployed.

PORTRAITS

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:54:00 +0000

Living on a Farm

11/19/2009. Caledon, South Africa.

Mnr. Arnolds Plaatjies and his wife Alithea van Breda in their humble home on a farm near Caledon in the Western Cape South Africa.

During 2009 the farming communities in the Western Cape were once again under the Human Rghts spotlight. Many stories were published about the poor living conditions some of the farmworkers on farms are living in and questions were raised about farmers and their treatment of their workers.

Mr. Plaatjies fell terminially ill on a farm and his elderly wife, Alithea van Breda had to resign from her job to nurse her partner.

At the time of my visit to the elderly couple the farmer had threatened to forcefully remove the couple and leave them to live on the street. Mr. Plaatjies has not received any medical treament and lives withou water and electricity. The house is torn and the elderly couple is left to fend the ellements and extreme conditions they are living in.

Sadly Mr. Plaatjies passed away three days later.

Portrait in Blue Sky

10/11/2009. Zandvlei, Muizenberg. Cape Town. South Africa. The Cape Town International Kite Festival took place on 10 and 11 October. The blue skies were painted with amasing pictures, textures and creatures.

OUMA

16/04/2009. Blikkiesdorp. Cape Flats, Cape Town. South Africa.
Ouma Magdalena ( 90) is the eldest resident of Blikkiesdorp on the Cape Flats.

Street with no name

Blikkiesdorp

A New Beginning

12/10/2009. Kalbaskraal. Western Cape. South Africa

Adriaan Andrew (12)

Adrian lost both his legs in a train accident in 2006. He won a court case battle against Transnet, and the compony has to pay him R16 million compensation.

Adriaan is planning to study law once he is finished with school.

Fish and Chips

26/03/2009. Grand Parade, Central Cape Town. Mnr. Mustafa Parker sitting and eating fish and chips in his lunch break on the Grade Parade in Cape Town. There are a number of Fish and Chips shops that sell fish and chips to locals on their luch break.

Suvival

21/05/2009. Belhar, Cape Flats. Cape Town. South Afica.

Zelda Schritten with her young boy Zievan.

The van der Westhuizen family lives in a shack in a Veld in Belhar. They are living without access to fresh running water, electricity and access to toilets.

I spend some time in the beginning of winter 2009 with a Family that live in a veld in Belhar.The van der Westhuizens are one of seven families living on a piece of land that became their “Veld-dorp”.

The remaining seven families living in the “Veld-Dorp” refuse to relocate to Blikkiesdorp, a housing project that provides temporary shelter for the poor and homeless on the Cape Flats. Many of the previous residents of this veld were removed and received temporary housing in Blikkiesdorp.

The crimes in Blikkiesdorp, the violence, robberies and rapes have kept these families from moving.

All the families, are dependent on donations of food packages and clothing for their survival, as none of them are employed and they struggle to make a living of the state grants that they receive.

Hope

21/05/2009. Belhar, Cape Flats. Cape Town. South Afica.

Janica van der Westhuizen lives with her parents in a shack in a Veld in Belhar. 09/05/21 19:26:41 PM.

Portraits of two ladies

15/09/2008. Stellenbosh. Western Cape. South Africa. An historical tour in Stellenbosch South Africa will take you back to the early 1700's. The village has a variety of museums and galleries where interesting people are to be found.

A Small Miracle

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 08:35:00 +0000

I met a young lady about 4 moths ago. I found her in a wheel chair in her mothers lounge in Atlantis.

Lee-Shaan van der Byl, lost both her legs due to Bacterial Meningitis.

I looked at the five year old and I had to bite on my lip not to show any emotion. What I saw in front of me was a beautiful little girl with the big smile, sitting in a wheel chair, with no legs. She was trapped, both legs amputated.

Little girls are supposed to play, hop, skip, jump and run around. Still, regardless of her disability she radiated positive energy and I realized that she was not just another five year old.

Lee-Shaan is a brave young lady, facing a very difficult and challenging future. What touched me most was that she was laughing and smiling whilst I was taking photographs of her.

The story ended up on the front page of Kaap Rapport a couple of months ago and I know that her story touched many people deeply.

Lee-Shaan ,today, after a sponsorship of “leggies” as she calls it, can walk, jump and skip again like a normal five year old should do. Upon a recent visit I spend some time with her and watched her as she was moving. She has adapted to her new way of life and most importantly her smile is bigger.She can walk again.

I am moved by the positive response our article and especially the photographs had. Miracles still happens.

I was once living on the street

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:46:00 +0000

I am a contract photographer for Rapport, Kaap Rapport. The newspaper had a "make-over" and since 24 May 2009 it is a Newspaper of Hope. A newspaper that inspire, uplift and informs.

Since the change, my style of photography and the stories that we do have changed. I am used to Hard News and shooting photographs in split second. Without thinking to much. Taking posed photographs or portraits is rather difficult.

I have never been a master at taking portraits but I am now forced to take environmental portraits. I am learning how to capture the emotions and expressions of the protagonists of the story and in the end I hope that my portraits of people will still tell their story.

In the beginning I was stuggeling and I heard the voice of the master ringing in my head."The most difficult thing for me is a portrait. You have to try and put your camera between the skin of a person and his shirt." - Henri Cartier-Bresson.

How can I photograph a person and give the reader the essence, the character the being?

I met Freda Davel in a recent interview. I enjoyed photographing her. It has been a while since I have photographed someone with so much positive energy.

She lives such a positive life, regardless of all the labels society has given her. She was a child living on the streets, she is HIV positive, a drug addict...

Against all ods, she turned out a lovely young lady with the voice of a angel. Long gone is the days on the street, the glue, the alcohol the begging, the lost soul has found direction and purpose again.

Our meeting sparked a creative vision in my head and I started researching a project that I hope she would be part of. On the day of the interview I met another inspirational being. Linzi Thomas.The former film producer is the brain behind the project MY LIFE and I am in awe at the work that she is doing for the people on the streets of Cape Town.

Freda was once on the streets and with Linzi's help and guidance she is embarking on a international music career. I watched Freda's first documentary film, Beneath The Stars and have to confess that I was wiping away tears that whole Sunday afternoon.

Linzi, I admire your work with the people on the streets of our beautifull mother city.Thank you, for teaching me how to appreciate that very special culture, thank you for making me understand again.

I want to thank both these very special ladies for the inspiration and hope that I would get an opportunity in the future, to help give voice to their very special projects.

Hylton Vaughan: Survivor

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:32:00 +0000

In my job I meet many influential people. Sometimes my road crosses with a person that inspires me on various different levels. I had the privilege to meet someone that changed the way I think, that changed my spiritual perceptions and that moved me and my thoughts very deeply.

Since meeting Hylton, I have been spending many days sitting and thinking about his story. In my heart and in my mind there are so many emotions that jump around if I think about our brief encounter. I struggle to find words to describe my gratitude and admiration. I thank the creator for choosing me to take these photographs and to let my path in life cross with his. It was a privilege to speak to him.

Hylton, let your light burn, and may you change and touch the lives of those who meet you.

The light in your eyes was contagious and may you keep the fire in your heart.

Hilton Vaughn was one of the survivors’ of a Fire that destroyed Paarl Print. 13 of his colleagues lost their lives on that fatefull day.

A Winters Tale

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:48:00 +0000

I spend some time in the beginning of winter with a Family that live in a veld in Belhar.The van der Westhuizens are one of seven families living on a piece of land that became their “Veld-dorp”.

The remaining seven families living in the “Veld-Dorp” refuse to relocate to Blikkiesdorp, a housing project that provides temporary shelter for the poor and homeless on the Cape Flats. Many of the previous residents of this veld were removed and received temporary housing in Blikkiesdorp.

The crimes in Blikkiesdorp, the violence, robberies and rapes have kept these families from moving.

All the families, are dependent on donations of food packages and clothing for their survival, as none of them are employed and they struggle to make a living of the state grants that they receive.

This is an ongoing project that I would be documenting during the winter.

*“Veld” is an Afrikaans word meaning field or land.

BLIKKIESDORP

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:14:00 +0000

They live in one of the poorest communities on the Cape Flats and are subjected to violent crimes, rape and robberies. Still the community of Blikkiesdorp keep their heads and spirits up.

4000 People call these steel structures and the sand dunes surrounding it, home. They live in close proximity to each other and the family atmosphere that binds all these poor individuals together brought tears to my eyes. The monotone structures and grey palette of the scenery leaves you with little to be exited about. It was not until I met Ouma that my mind changed. I was seeing a different world through my lens and I was learning how these unfortunate people can have such colourful lives amidst the emptiness and greys.

Even though all the heartache and pain that these people are suffering breaks your heart, the sense of positivity and will to survive is contagious. Many community members run their own little shops to provide the necessities for every day survival. Living from hand to hand, day to day. Caring for and looking after each other.

The Kaap Rapport newspaper that I am currently working for as a contract photographer, is being re- launched. Our focus would be more positive features and news stories on the communities in Cape Town. This feature was a test run for future publications.

Bad news sells papers, but good news can inspire. I believe that many of our communities that face the same hardship, poverty and all the social issues arising out of their fate could be uplifted and educated with social photo stories.

I was moved by the simplicity of the people, their will to survive, the feeling of community. I left Blikkiesdorp wondering what it is that binds people together in difficulty like that.

This particular feature on Blikkiesdorp inspired a positive atmosphere in the community. The pastors, priests and leaders of the community posted the pages on walls and in the community halls.

Upon my return to Blikkiesdorp to deliver some papers I spoke to some of the residents and they were so proud and said that the positive portrayal is encouraging and that it is better to see good news of their village for a change.

Blikkiesdorp is in the news most of the time because of violent rapes of Toddlers and children. I believe that features like these, portraying the good in a community would not only inspire people that live in communities, but it will also encourage them to live better and healthier lives.

Jacob Zuma in Langa

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:17:00 +0000

The ANC President, Mr. Jacob Zuma addressed crowds of ANC supporters during a gathering to celebrate Human Rights day in Langa. The event was a commemoration of the 1960 Langa Massacre.

Tribute to firefighters

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:39:00 +0000

Fires have been ravaging parts of the Western Cape for the last 4 weeks. Damages to Wine farms and National parks are estimated to be millions of rands. Crops and plantations were destroyed and would take years to recover from the damages caused.

Hundreds of brave firefighters, members of local communities and farm labourers collaborated in a effort to fight the fires.

The collection of photographs in this post is a tribute to the brave that were working non stop to fight the fires.Most of the pictures where taken on Lourensford Wine Farm and Knorhoek, outside Somerset West

Najwa: Sentenced

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:58:00 +0000

A loud applause broke out in Court 1, Cape High Court, when Judge Siraj Desai sentenced Najwa Petersen to 28 years in jail, for masterminding the contract killing of her husband,the music legend Taliep Petesen.

The Petesen family shouted remarks from the gallery as the judge read out the sentence of the four accused.

Her two co-accused Abdoer Raasiet Emjedi and Waheed Hassen, were both sentenced to 24 years for the murder, with Hassen getting an additional one-year prison term for the unlawful possession of a firearm.

Jefferson Snyders,accused number four, was sentenced to 10 years for his robbery conviction, three years of which were suspended.

Many curious family members and friends of the accused, were waiting outside the gates of the HIgh Court, as the three men were escorted away. Najawa followed a couple of hours later when the crowds dispersed.

Najwa: Last Appearance

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:33:00 +0000

Najwa Petersen enters Court 1 on 5 February 2009. This was her last court appearance. She would be sentenced with three other co-accused on Wednesday 11 February 2009.

Behind the lens

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:31:00 +0000

I made it onto the front page of various news papers and even on to the news this week.

I was shooting the Najwa Petersen Trial for Rapport Newspaper in the Cape High Court.

I feel very honored that my picture editor, Sharrief Jaffer, send me to document the high profile proceedings. Armed with cameras and lenses, I took on the job with determination to get the perfect shot. As a photojournalist I aim to take pictures that tell stories, moving stories. I try to shoot verbs that would communicate the intended message.

In court before the judge entered, we had a couple of minutes to take pictures for the papers. I have been shooting the trial for a while and it became a challenge to get different pictures and since the accused hardly show emotion, the job was quite challenging.

In the last appearance before the sentencing, I found a spot that I loved. It was right in her face, close by, so that I could get close-ups as she entered court. I wanted to be close to her so I can photograph her hands that is handcuffed and to see if she would finally show some emotion.

My spot that I chose on the day that she was sentenced landed me on TV and in the press. So if you ever wondered what I looked like behind the lens, have a look at these pictures that got emailed to me, by some colleagues and other photojournalists.

Big boys don't cry.

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:58:00 +0000

Rashaad Staggies' daughter was shot in a police raid, in Bonteheuwel.

The mystery shots that landed Ingrid Jacobs in hospital with two wounds in the stomach was allegedly fired by the police. The incident happened when the police raided a well known tik-den in Safraan Street in Bonteheuwel.

An official attempted murder docket was opened, after it came to light that one of the bystanders filmed the shooting.

Igrid was watching the raid through metal plates serving as a wall when the shots were fired.

The police arrested 10 alleged drug dealers and confiscated illegal substances and money. Six grams of tik with a street value of R2 000 and R1 800 cash was found.

The investigation continues.

Cape Town Minstrels/ Kaapse Klopse

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:17:00 +0000

The streets in Cape Town exploded in a palette of vibrant colours as the “Cape Coons” or “Cape Town Minstrels” welcomed 2009.

The participants in the Cape Minstrel Carnival, with their white faces, various musical instruments, feathers, drums and umbrellas entertained thousands of locals and also visitors to the mother city, as they marched up and down the streets of Cape Town.

“Die Kaapse Klopse” as it is known in Afrikaans, is a century old tradition that started because of slavery in the mid 19th centuary. This colourful tradition is being kept alive by the Afrikaans “ coloured” community.

Hoor hoe slat die Ghoema…!

Najwa Petersen Murder Trial

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:09:00 +0000

On the 02 December, the Cape Town High Court found Najwa Petersen and two of her co-accused, guilty of robbery and murder of her husband, the music legend, Taliep Petersen.

The court case and the controversy surrounding the murder of Taliep Peterson, caught the imagination of many South Africans. The truth, as it unfolded, has the elements of a modern day Soap Opera. The script, serving silent reminders of Greek Mythology.

The galleries in Court 1 at the Cape Town High Court ,was jam-packed with supporters, family, friends and the curious.

The accused captured in frames. Their faces, branded into public memory.

Najwa Petersen

Freedom of Speech

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:30:00 +0000

Caledon. A little village in the Western Cape, South Africa. 27 November 2008

The writing is on the wall.

Mr. Roy James expresses his right to freedom of speech. He takes on high profile political figures and local government institutions with his black and red block letters. This has caused some controversy in the Caledon community.

Caledon is a conservative Afrikaans community.

Arson?

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:56:00 +0000

A house of one of the employees of Stellenbosch University burned to the ground.

A unnamed man that was responsible for the fire was under the influence of alcohol and found sleeping on a chair outside the house whilst the fire was burning.

The man is one of the caretakers of some of the animals that live on the property. With the quick response of some students that were attending horse riding lessons and the Stellenbosch Fire department, the animals escaped without being harmed.

Boy dies in Car

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:55:00 +0000

"Mammie I am going to Granny to go fetch my clothes for church."

This was the last words spoken by Shane Adams (3) to his mom, a couple of hours before he died tragically. Shane's body was found in a family friend's car a couple of hours after he accidentally locked himself in the back of the car. He was to young to know how to open the door from the inside.

Family friends discovered the body after their return from church.His tragic death touched the hearts of members of the farming community in Romansrivier, outside Wolseley.

Miss. Sara Polka and her partner mnr. Riaan Adams parents of Shane Adams.

Shane's family. Maria Polka, Granny and Miss. Sara Polka and her partner mnr. Riaan Adams, parents.

Shane Adams (3)

Miss. Sara Polka, Shane's Mom

Miss. SaraPolka, Shane's Mom

Jacob Zuma ANC

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:18:00 +0000

Jacob Zuma, the ANC President, on a recent visit to Mitchells Plain, Cape Town.7 November 2008.

All over the country members of the ruling party are turning their back on the ANC. The President of the ANC, Jacob Zuma was on a visit to various villages and townships in and around Cape Town and parts of the Western Cape. He visited areas where the support for the ruling party has dropped and campaigned for more support for the upcoming elections.

The ANC finds itself in a very difficult position as members are breaking away and allying with the new party led by former defence minister, Mosiuoa Lekota.

According to President Zuma, the ANC does not find itself in a political crisis as believed."Let us keep quiet and work for our organisations. The future is ours." Zuma told a a crowd of supporters.

Imizamo Yethu Fire

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:50:00 +0000

20 November 2008

A fire in the Township,Imizamo Yethu, outside Houtbay, destroyed 200 shacks and left hundreds of residents from this empoverished community homeless.

Jacob Zuma at UWC

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:25:00 +0000

Ferari Crash and Classic Cars

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:27:00 +0000

Story Originally published in Rapport.

(Translated article from wheels24)

Author: Marlene Malan and Lizane Louw, Rapport

A red piece of wreckage is all that remained of the business magnate Johann Rupert's 1995-Ferrari F50 after his son crashed it outside Stellenbosch.

The car is worth between R4m and R5m and is one of only 349 in the world. It had been part of Rupert snr's Franschhoek Car Museum.

The last F50 rolled off the production line at Ferrari's Maranello plant in 1997 after production started in July 1995.

Anton Rupert, 22, wanted to show a friend how fast and powerful the car was. He apparently lost control of the car while going around a bend on the Helshoogte Pass between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.

The accident happened just before business tycoon GT Ferreira's Tokara wine estate.

Friends of the family confirmed that Anton was behind the wheel. He was not injured. He is Johann and Gaynor Rupert's only son. They also have two daughters.

Whilst I was working on the story I visited the Car Museum and took the following pix.

Lwandle Fire

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:59:00 +0000

Devastation as a fire swept through Lwandle Township,1 October 2007. Many shacks and temporary houses were destroyed and hundreds of people left without shelter.

Most people lost all their possesions.

Documented for Die Burger Newspaper Oct 2007.

"Terror" Lekota

noreply@blogger.com (Lila) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:35:00 +0000

Mosiuoa "Terror" Lekota announces his "divorce from the ANC".

11 October 2008,Langa Township.

The political climate in South Africa is in turmoil en there is uncertainty about the current state and future of the ANC.

I attended the ANC gathering in Langa and documented the events for Rapport. It was obvious that Thabo Mbeki still has support in the communities in the Western Cape.

Thabo Mbeki gave up the presidency after he was asked to resign. This sparked the resignation of a number of ministers and to this day causes allot of confusion with the public.

A translater translated some of the chants and songs and it was obvious that the people of Langa threw their weight behind Lakota.

An interesting fact that emerged from a conversation, is that circumcision plays an important part in the Xhosa culture. They see men that have not been circumcised as boys and not men. One man commented "Jacob Zuma needs to go to the bush so that he can become a man."

I found this primitive outlook interesting. It showed me how strong the Xhosa culture is.

( This paragraph was written after observing the gathering and speaking to some people, it does not reflect my political opinion. I believe that an opposition party keeps a ruling party on its toes...)