As many readers already know, I am a documentary photographer. And while it was a pleasure to teach and develop courses in the Powerhouse’s skills development center, I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t carve out some time to do some serious documentary work. There were many many stories I could have told, but what struck me most and seemed to be internationally important were the scores of Zimbabwean immigrants living in Mamelodi. Xenophobic attacks headlined world news around the beginning of 2008, and it seemed these foreigners (and neighbors) were being painted as the enemy. Yet as I got a chance to know many different Zimbabweans during our time in Mamelodi, I couldn’t help but be encouraged by their strong faith in the Lord to sustain and deliver them out of their dire circumstances where they struggled to survive just like their South African brothers and sisters. The photos below show just one of the many touching families and individuals we got to know. I personally learned a great deal from Vugani as a pastor and friend. You may view the photos below, or for a larger view (with full screen option) view them in the image gallery. Please note that some names have been changed in order to protect their identity.

In summary, the following relates Vugani’s struggle: Vugani managed a bakery back in Zimbabwe and made a good living. As the Zimbabwean dollar inflated rapidly and harsh political persecution set in, he left with his wife and two of his children were forced to cross the border, looking for a better life on the other side. Settling in Mamelodi, which exists in one of the wealthiest provinces of South Africa, he and his family are no longer starving, but are hardly living the good life they had imagined. With only his daughter’s income from washing dishes, Vugani and his wife Zanele must look outside their circumstances to find hope and strength.

Filed under: Stories and Zimbabwe by Nathan on November 30th, 2009. Tags: border, dreams, neighbor, pastor, refugee, Vugani, xenophobia, Zanele, Zimbabwe | 1 Comment

I’ve been spending a good amount of time lately working on a story about the refugees from Zimbabwe living in Mamelodi. I’ve gotten to know a few people really well, and one of them is a man named Vugani and his family. His story will be featured soon, so I won’t go into the details now, but this past week Vugani needed to renew his permit that allows him to be here. Pretty much every six months Zimbabweans (and other refugees from Mozambique and elsewhere) have to go downtown to the Home Affairs office and renew their paperwork that allows them to be here under asylum. It’s an ordeal to say the least that is filled with corruption and frustration that becomes a very demeaning experience. And it’s not inside the office where the problems occur; it’s waiting outside, where people camp out the night before to get in line, where things get hectic. (Check out Will’s post as has more details and he shares his reason to be there as well.)

Women are separated into their own line, which is pretty civil though long and crowded. The men are in their own area where a system created by street thugs has evolved to get people into separate lines with about 10 in each line. Each opportunist promises to get those in his line(s) to the front of the queue, but only if you pay him first. Then he bribes the guards to let in his people (or he can take off with your money leaving you to come back the next day and try again). They only let a certain number of people in each day so if you don’t pay one of these guys, your chances are pretty slim that you’ll get in. The money these guys make compared to the average working man’s salary is astronomical, and they’ve usually pocketed it before 6 a.m.! The worst part is that those people waiting in line are already struggling to survive, many of them without work with families to support both here and back in other countries. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the police batons and belts that are employed while attempting to control the crowd.

It wasn’t safe for me to walk around in the open with my camera but I did get some shots while we waited in the Vito. Shooting through a closed window in virtually no light with moving people and slow shutter speeds was a challenge, but I have to give credit to the Canon 5D Mark II at 2000 ISO and higher; it performed wonderfully. I also thank God that He ordered my steps, as I headed into the experience without much idea what I’d be getting into! But as I often pray, God showed me what He wanted me to see. And despite only being able to shoot from the Vito, I was able to get some shots of Vugani which will add to his story. Please note that some names have been changed in order to protect their identity.

The photos were taken over two different mornings starting before dawn until around 8 a.m. The last day Will and I drove through downtown Pretoria checking out the early morning sights, which were fabulous!

Filed under: Zimbabwe by Nathan on April 18th, 2009. Tags: Home Affairs, injustice, Marabastad, permit renewal, queue, refugees, Zimbabwe | 1 Comment