A major new exhibition honouring renowned South African photographer Santu Mofokeng is inviting visitors to reflect on the power of images in everyday life at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton.

The exhibition, Rumours /2026, marks what would have been Mofokeng’s 70th birthday and celebrates 10 years since the establishment of his foundation.

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Speaking at the exhibition opening ceremony, Dr Same Mdluli, the Standard Bank curator and gallery manager, said the showcase arrives at a time when people are surrounded by images more than ever before.

“We are constantly bombarded with images, whether through news or social media. Images have become the primary way we engage with the world.”

One of the highlights of the exhibition is the presentation of the Photo Album series, a significant body of work that has not previously been shown in full in South Africa.

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Mdluli said the exhibition aims to give audiences a deeper understanding of the photographer’s contribution to visual storytelling.

“It shows the extent of his work and the way photography can transform how we see our surroundings.”

Mdluli believes the exhibition is ultimately about encouraging people to look beyond the surface of an image.

“He asked us to look carefully and to question what we see,” she said.

She added that the exhibition also speaks to the idea of shared humanity and empathy.

“It is about understanding what it means to be human and how we connect,” she said.

Organisers hope the exhibition will inspire younger audiences and emerging photographers to engage with Mofokeng’s work and explore photography as a powerful storytelling tool.

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