Last week Wednesday (May 29), South Africans from all walks of life patiently stood in line to exercise their right to vote.
This year’s election, however, was different because for the first time since 1994, the question of who exactly would lead was in question.
Following the election results, South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), is currently negotiating with its political opponents behind closed doors to form a coalition government.
South Africa’s youth, who mostly have a second hand recollection of the historical importance of the country’s first democratic election, have been those most affected by crime, unemployment and poverty.
Students from the Thokoza-based social and artistic initiative, Of Soul and Joy (OSJ), sought to make sense of this complex societal dialogue through the power of photography.
On election day morning, Fuwe Molefe, Siyabonga Mhlanga, Tadiwa Mkono, Lehlohonolo Sigaba and several other young photographers took to the streets of Thokoza and captured the moments of history unfolding.
“It’s easier for the older generation to reflect on where we have come from as a country,” said Jabulani Dhlamini, OSJ project manager and documentary photographer. “This project helps us to grasp the perspective of the youth in this equally pivotal moment in South Africa’s history, as they also come face to face with changing the country’s destiny in very difficult times.”
Take a look at some of the images from the young photographers below:
