MOPP.org.za

I completed my diploma in photography at pta tech in 1999 and then moveddown to cape town, away from Jhb the town which I grew up in.Trying toconstantly be aware of the community and its needs I studied a short coursein journalism through unisa.
I grew up with a mix of afrikaans and british culture. I had the fortune ofbeing brought up with both parents and having my granparents live into their90’s.My oupa who is of amazing mind is 93 and my nan who had an incrediblecharacter and sense of humour.All including my siblings have had a greatimpact in my life.All of which has influenced my basic visual grounding, the rest, well thatchanges daily, the playful, the bold, the plain, the funny, the clever allrolled into one.I feel honoured to exhibit with these incredible photographers and
I support MOPP 100 percent.
My exhibit entitled philidelphia is exactly that, its about the area, thecollection of things that I found in philidelphia.A group of dogs, a stack of hay, a group of kids etc.My other pictures are of kids at the obz pool, A kind of seriousness aboutplay.The importance of just being a kid.

In just 48 hours, from Friday morning at dawn until Saturday evening, the group will fan out to document workers, street life, families, interiors, and landscape portraits to create an intimate and revealing portrait of this community. On Sunday afternoon from noon to 4 P.M., their photographs will be displayed in the street across from the community center, IZIKO LOBOMI. This is the groups’ second community photo project, The first was in Site C, Khayelitsha in November.Photographer Mandla Mnyakama is well aware of how photographs from the townships rarely make it back to the community. “So often, photographers from outside come in to document and the people never get to see those images. This is different. We live here. We know these stories and we want to show them here for everyone to see. Our photography is about capturing daily life, the pictures that we make here will come from our experiences and from our hearts.”
The photographers, who come from different townships around Cape Town, teamed up several months ago to share tips and critique each other’s work. The group ranges from students and beginners to experienced photojournalists and portrait photographers. Working with digital cameras donated to their group, the photographers are able to share their work with the community almost as soon as they release the shutter button.