Soweto Market

Johannesburg, South Africa - Amy - Wednesday, August 31st, 2005 : goo

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Soweto is one of the townships on the outskirts of Johannesburg that black people were forced to live in under apartheid. Nowadays, a lot of black people have moved into the formerly whites only areas that are more central and have far better infrastructure. Some people remain in the townships for financial reasons, but many people choose to stay there because of the sense of community. I’m starting to feel like a tour guide . . . but I’m guessing it’s all new to most of you.

I like going there because everyone is so friendly to a lone white girl walking down the street. People go out of their way to make you feel welcome; you get invited into people’s houses. That would never happen in my neighbourhood (another time). And in the township, almost everyone wants to be photographed. Which is great. But it makes the spontaneous voyeuristic stuff kinda unattainable without a long, long, lens. Which I no longer possess :-(

I took these the other day at a market in Kliptown, Soweto.
You could call it aestheticising (is that a word?) poverty . . . but the colours and the chaos and the dirt and the warmth are beautiful to me.

Mealies (maize, corn) blackened on a brazier - a staple.
Yes, McDonalds & co. have invaded Jozi. They just haven't bothered to move into the township yet. Thankful we are for small mercies.

Not exactly free range, but it sure as hell beats a battery.

Oh well, I was going to add a few more, but I'm suddenly having problems uploading.

I was in a people mood that day. If anyone’s interested, I’ll post some more general urban environmental stuff.

By the way, I really love this site. I discovered it last week, and although I haven't shot anything specifically to share with you, I am starting to feel inspired . . .

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ian: superb!

kc: ditto. would love to see more...

Laura : Thank you for sharing!

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