Tana Malinga
Of Soul and Joy
Johannesburg’s vibrant photography landscape is once again being enriched as Of Soul and Joy, in collaboration with the esteemed Market Photo Workshop, unveils its latest annual exhibition, a compelling showcase that celebrates storytelling, belonging and the transformative power of visual expression.
Now marking its fourteenth year, the exhibition stands as a powerful reflection of how photography continues to shape young voices and create spaces for authentic storytelling. Rooted at Buhlebuzile Secondary School in Thokoza, Of Soul and Joy has evolved into far more than a photography programme. It has become a creative sanctuary where young people are nurtured through mentorship, artistic development and opportunities to capture the realities of the communities that shape them.
Titled ASSEMBLIES OF COMMUNITY, the exhibition explores the invisible threads that connect people through shared histories, family bonds, spiritual traditions, friendships and collective memory. Through striking portraiture, documentary narratives and evocative landscapes, the body of work reveals how individual experiences intersect to form larger stories of resilience and human connection.
At its core, the exhibition presents photography as more than an artistic practice. It becomes a mirror through which communities are able to see themselves with honesty and dignity, while offering audiences an intimate glimpse into stories often overlooked.
Founded by acclaimed photographer Jabulani Dhlamini, Of Soul and Joy has consistently championed the idea that the camera is a tool of empowerment. The programme continues to equip young photographers with the ability to preserve lived experiences while reshaping how township and rural narratives are represented.
The exhibition also shines a spotlight on the educational partnership with the Market Photo Workshop, one of South Africa’s most respected institutions for photographic learning. The platform allows emerging photographers to present their work within a broader national dialogue on visual storytelling and image-making.
Among the standout contributions is the Merafe Hostel project, an intimate visual exploration developed through the collaborative efforts of young photographers working to document life from within a community often defined by outside perspectives. The collection offers rare, deeply personal insight into daily realities, identity and belonging.
The featured works, created by a collective of talented emerging photographers, capture a rich tapestry of South African life, from bustling township streets and quiet rural settings to moments of faith, reflection and familial connection. Each frame asks viewers to reconsider what community means and challenges them to engage more deeply with stories of place and people.
More than an exhibition, ASSEMBLIES OF COMMUNITY is an invitation to witness the next generation of visual storytellers claiming their space, reframing narratives and proving that photography remains one of the most powerful tools for dialogue, reflection and meaningful social change.
IMAGES SOURCED
About Of Soul and Joy
Based at Buhlebuzile Secondary School in Thokoza, Of Soul and Joy is a long-term photography project providing vocational training and creative platforms for South African youth. Now in its 14th year, it remains a vital engine for community storytelling and professional development. The programme was created by Rubis Mécénat and is supported by Easigas.
About the Market Photo Workshop
The Market Photo Workshop is a Johannesburg-based school of photography, gallery and resource center for practicing photographers. Since its establishment in 1989, the school has played an integral role in the training and growth of photographers from South Africa and further afield, while promoting photography through exhibitions
