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Of Soul and Joy celebrate 10 years

“Celebrating the 10 years is important and it has shown me that it is only a start.”

Of Soul and Joy (OSJ) held a spontaneous event to celebrate its tenth anniversary through a photo festival with the Kathorus community at Buhlebuzile Secondary School, located at 10762 Morubisi Street, Thokozo on November 26.

According to SA Photographer represented by the Goodman Gallery and OSJ project manager Jabulani Dhlamini, 10 years is just the beginning because there is still a lot to be done.

He said even though it has been a decade, the number of students is still low.

“It is still a number that you can count,” Dhamini emphasized.

“I would love to see the project grow and reach more people because we have a problem in South Africa in terms of unemployment and not having a platform to discuss the challenges we have. Celebrating the 10 years is important but has shown me that it is only a start.”

Event MC Thabo ‘Flo’ Mokale.

He said, moving forward, they plan to invite mentors from various sectors instead of photographers only because they have done it with photographers and seen the results.

“We will continue with it, but need to bring in the business part of it and bring business people who will address and have discussions with our children. They have to spend time with the children so that they can influence them to think business.”

Dhlamini said the current group has already studied and received mentoring on photography. They now have to focus on the business side. However, the new group focuses on both.

The event organizers arranged a colourful outdoor photo exhibition where they presented the recent work by the OSJ photographers.

Dialogue panellists (left) Jodi Bieber, Tshepiso Mazibuko, Jabulani Dhlamini and Molemo Moiloa.

There was also a wallpaper workshop and photo studio animated by the OSJ photography students and creative workshops animated by Thokozani Ndaba and the team, as well as a documentary screening.

The event gave many artists a platform to share and express their various talents on stage. It concluded with a panel discussion with photographers OSJ and guests from various townships.

Guests enjoyed music performances, dance as well as drama and a stage play performed by Buhlebuzile Magnet School, PT Xulu Magnet School, Jika Mapantsula, Makhubu Foundation, Haikuu and the 575s, Mjikane Maskandi Group, uBumbano Cultural Group and Mr Gee.

The panel discussed the role of mentoring and art projects in the community, led by the head of research at Andani Africa Molemo Moiloa. The panellists included Dhlamini, photographer and OSJ alumni Tshepiso Mazibuko and photographer Jodi Bieber.

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