On My Way to Work

The walk to my job takes me about 15-20 minutes in the mornings. The road stretches from my front gate straight to where I work. First, I crisscross through the traffic, people hurrying to where they need to be, I notice the shops all starting to open up, the car guards (because what is a South African parking space without one?), the street children still hanging around like they never leave. Then the isle of construction. About two blocks of dust and rubble and workers in hard hats all warmed up and working long since I first opened my eyes in bed. I enter the dust filled dome-like stretch trying to keep my feet clear of the fine grains only too eager to stick to my shoes…and then today, this woman walks in front of me. She is pushing what seems to be a confection stand covered with old withered material. At first I thought, clever girl. See an opportunity to make some money, grab it head on. But no, as I passed her I noted that the stand was empty. Not a thing, the holes in the cover peeked in at empty shelves. Why was she pushing her empty trolley through this wasteland of construction, who the fuck knows?

Playing it safe

My first entry for the Swedish Innovation Photography Competition. The competition calls for the use of a Swedish innovation to be used in a South African context. I worked with safety matches. Referencing sayings surrounding the idea of “playing with matches” and the concept of the “safety” match in the hands of a child. “Playing it safe” by Kevin du Plessis.

These are the children of the Bult

These are the children of the Bult in Potchefstroom, South Africa. They are children, they play, they laugh, they need food and socks. They also scold and swear and smoke and steal and cause havoc. They have eyes to see. But there aren’t many eyes willing to see them. They’re thankful for what you give them, and pesky when you ignore them. The point is, these are the children of the Bult, and you can see them.