Since its inception in 2012, Of Soul & Joy (OSJ) has been dedicated to providing photography skills to underserved communities across South Africa. Through its workshops, OSJ has successfully trained dozens of emerging photographers, many of whom have gone on to build successful careers in the creative industry. As part of its ongoing outreach program, OSJ has been engaging throughout the year with the Merafe Hostel in Soweto, a historically marginalised and under-resourced area.
In collaboration with Swazi Tshabalala, who runs a youth empowerment initiative at the hostel, OSJ launched and continues to run the Merafe Hostel Project which consists of weekly photography workshops designed to empower the youth of Merafe Hostel. The project recruits participants aged 15 to 32, aiming to provide them with a platform for self-expression through photography. It offers an opportunity for these young participants to explore their rich cultural heritage and express their personal stories creatively.
The Merafe Hostel Project is part of OSJ’s broader mission to reach previously disadvantaged communities that have been excluded from mainstream platforms due to challenges such as poverty, historic disenfranchisement, and unemployment. By providing essential skills in photography, the initiative is opening doors to career pathways in the creative industries, including commercial photography, documentary work, and visual education.
The project offers a comprehensive photography programme that includes workshops held on Fridays and Saturdays at the Hostel hall, with a total of 30 participants/students. These students are creating their own photographic bodies of work which will culminate in a public exhibition at the upcoming OSJ Foto Festival, taking place in October 2025 at Buhlebuzile Secondary School, Thokoza. To support the students, two mentors and two OSJ alumni assist with each session, and the alumni rotate responsibilities throughout the programme. In December, the students’ work will be displayed at an outdoor exhibition and wall-pasting display, giving them the opportunity to showcase their creative output to the public.
Additionally, the programme includes regular critique sessions every two months, where invited experts and visitors provide feedback on the students’ work at the Umhlabathi Collective in Newtown, Johannesburg. To enhance their learning experience, participants also take part in trips to art exhibitions and fairs, giving them exposure to the broader world of photography and visual arts.
Award-winning South African photographer and OSJ Project Manager Jabulani Dhlamini, emphasised the power of photography as a unifying tool:
“Photography transcends the barriers of language, ethnicity, and social status. It’s a tool that unites, offering people a way to express themselves and communicate their stories to the world. Through this project, we’re providing the youth with a platform to tell their own narratives through photography, which allows them to show the world who they are and where they come from, breaking down the stereotypes often associated with places like Merafe Hostel.”
Breaking down stereotypes through creativity
Historically, hostels such as Merafe have been seen through a lens of violence, poverty, and neglect. These spaces, originally built to house black migrants who worked in South Africa’s urban centres, were never meant to be permanent homes. As a result, many hostels have suffered from underdevelopment, limited services, and poor living conditions. The Merafe Hostel Project seeks to counter the negative stereotypes attached to such spaces by empowering the residents through photography and self-expression. It also serves as a reminder that, despite their challenges, hostels are places where culture, resilience, and community thrive.
Throughout the course of the project, participants have been gaining valuable skills in addition to using photography as a medium for self-expression and visual storytelling:
• Basic writing to craft artist statements and biographies• Presentation skills that will help them effectively showcase their work• Conceptualising and creating their own exhibition
• Receiving guidance and mentorship from OSJ alumni, helping them grow into capable mentors themselves
As part of OSJ’s commitment to community engagement, a talk on the history of the hostel will be held during the December exhibition, inviting local community members and parents to participate. Furthermore, OSJ will host a combined workshop as part of its August Women’s Month workshop series with female students from Thokoza and Merafe Hostel to foster cross-community learning and collaboration.
Soweto Sunrise News
