The Of Soul & Joy (OSJ) Project is proud to announce the 5th edition of its Photo Festival, marking 13 years of nurturing photographic talent, storytelling, and artistic growth in South Africa. Taking place in the township of Thokoza at the Buhlebuzile Secondary School on Saturday, 18 October, the festival will celebrate the creativity and dynamism of OSJ photographers, showcase the project’s ongoing impact in local and rural communities, and engage the public in a day-long celebration of art, culture, and social empowerment.
Over the past 13 years, OSJ has trained emerging photographers from Thokoza and surrounding areas, equipping them with the skills to tell meaningful stories and participate in the global creative landscape. Many alumni have gone on to international recognition, with exhibitions, awards, and residencies that highlight the power of photography as a tool for social change. As project manager Jabulani Dhlamini notes:
“The best achievement is the impact it has made on the students, industry, and community at large. It brings a special dynamic to the creative industry by encouraging collective work and collaboration with all the local players. Some of our beneficiaries have become successful professional photographers with work that has won awards and been exhibited internationally. We support them over the long term, encouraging them and celebrating their successes, with many of them, in turn, become mentors for the project.”
The 5th OSJ Photo Festival will feature a vibrant program that includes exhibitions, talks, performances, and interactive activities for the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore projects from the Merafe Hostel, rural KwaZulu-Natal’s Nquthu and Nkandla, and Tzaneen, Limpopo, through screenings, prints, and live discussions.
Festival Highlights and Programme:
- All Day: Outdoor exhibitions by OSJ photographers and mentors, interactive photo studio, Camera Obscura, face painting, and photo booth games with special prizes.
- 13:00 – 13:45: Of Soul & Joy and its Success Stories – A play by the Sabelo Makhubu Foundation, followed by a talk with OSJ alumni Tshepiso Mazibuko and Sibusiso Bheka on how photography transformed their lives.
- 13:45 – 14:30: Empowering Women Through Photography – A performance by beneficiaries of Merafe Hostel with the Musawamaswazi Community Organisation, accompanied by a talk with mentors Tshepiso Mabula, Naledi Mkupa, and OSJ student Life Ngubeni, exploring the experience of women in the arts.
- 14:30 – 15:30: Live music by the Buhlebuzile Alumni Jazz Band.
- 15:30 – 16:00: Using Cinema as a Tool for Expression with Cinema Take – Screenings of films created by OSJ students and a talk with Muriel Huet, Mpumelelo Mcata, and students Lerato Hashe and Millicent Hatibaki.
- 16:00 – 17:00: Raising Awareness About Photography in Remote Communities – Traditional dance by Merafe Hostel Girls (Musawamaswazi Community Organisation), followed by a discussion with mentors Jabulani Dhlamini, Thandile Zwelibanzi, and Swazi Tshabalala about OSJ outreach workshops in rural areas and hostels.
Featured Speakers and Mentors:
- Jabulani Dhlamini, documentary photographer and OSJ project manager, whose acclaimed work explores post-apartheid South Africa, collective memory, and personal narratives.
- Sibusiso Bheka, Thokoza-born photographer known for evocative nighttime township imagery, internationally exhibited and awarded.
- Naledi Mkupa, South African visual artist passionate about self-expression and social commentary through photography.
- Thandile Zwelibanzi, currently based in Mogale City, is the sixth recipient of the Edward Ruiz Mentorship at the Market Photo Workshop. His body of work produced through the mentorship has been exhibited extensively, including at the 9th Rencontres de Bamako African Biennial in Mali.
- Tshepiso Mabula, documentary photographer and member of the Umhlabathi Collective.
- Mpumelelo Mcata, filmmaker, musician, and cultural activist, widely recognized for his work with the BLK JKS.
- Muriel Huet, social entrepreneur, education activist, and film curator with 18 years of experience exploring cinema and cultural exchange.
The 5th Of Soul & Joy Photo Festival promises to be a rich celebration of photography, storytelling, and community empowerment, inviting the public to experience the transformative power of the visual arts while engaging with South Africa’s rich and diverse cultural narratives.