A township is seen in the background against a blue sky and green foliage in the foreground.
Credit:

Hlumelo Tshingana and Anathi Vumazonke

Licence: Attribution, Non-Commercial CC BY-NC

Eh!woza - Things We Left Unseen

Over the past year, Eh!woza led photography workshops with 17 young people from Khayelitsha, Western Cape, South Africa empowering them to explore health and wellbeing in their community. Their striking images and personal captions offer a powerful lens on local life.

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Things We Left Unseen 

We live in Khayelitsha, which translates to “new home” in isiXhosa, a large and diverse township located east of Cape Town’s city centre. It is the second-largest township in South Africa after Soweto in Johannesburg. The area is an example of apartheid-era urban planning, designed to enforce racial segregation, control Black labour migration, and suppress political unrest. Today, it is a place that is often overlooked or misunderstood. Residents in Khayelitsha face many challenges, including unemployment, crime, overcrowding, disease and a lack of access to basic services such as sanitation, electricity and dignified housing.

Khayelitsha is a community with its own strengths and challenges. People work together and support each other despite facing difficulties. It is home to inspiring stories, innovative projects and strong solidarity among residents. Community members are actively involved in developing ventures to support each other. These include soup kitchens, educational programmes, rehabilitation centres and more.

The community has a rich cultural heritage, which makes the area vibrant with markets, an active arts scene, and many small businesses. There is hope that one day our community will get the support it needs to thrive and become a place where everyone can live safely, healthily and happily. Despite the challenges, we are proud to call Khayelitsha home because of its warmth, diversity, and the way we look out for one another.

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Elona Jubeju - Trees 

A tree stands centrally in the frame with a dark sky above and passenger bus drives past to the left.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen essential for human and animal life. Trees provide habitats for diverse species, maintaining ecological balance. Trees reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Trees supply wood, food and medicine. Being around trees reduces stress and improves wellbeing.

I remember the day I stumbled upon this magnificent oak tree. Twisted branches stretched towards the sky. The light filtering through the leaves created a dappled effect, casting intricate shadows, capturing its transformation through my lens. 

The tree inspires me to appreciate the simple joys of nature and the importance of preserving our natural world.

Credit:

Elona Jubeju

Licence: Attribution, Non-Commercial CC BY-NC

Thandolwethu Piyose - Soup Kitchen Souls 

Thandolwethu Piyose - Small Hands, Big Impact 

Mbasa James - Whispers of Resistance 

Lerato Sipezi - Innocence Lost: The Hidden Dangers of Overcrowded Places 

Amile Mekana - Playground of Despair 

Someleze Nxenye - Gxarha’s Kraal: A Home in the Heart of Khayelitsha 

Lihle James - Sanitation 

Hlumelo Tshingana and Anathi Vumazonke - The Dirty Truth 

A flooded scrubland with green foliage in the foreground and settlement in the background.

People may have no choice but to drink or bathe in this dirty water, as it may be their only water source. As a result, residents may have cholera and other waterborne diseases.

The pictures raise concerns about potential health risks. We wanted to show how residents of Khayelitsha live, and that the constant presence of sewage affects the quality of life for all residents. It is a hazard because a lot of children like to play with this water, and they get ill, and others even die because of this. As some people may depict us from Khayelitsha as people who do not care about ourselves or the environment, we actually do. But, sometimes, we have no control over our situation. 

THAT IS OUR DIRTY TRUTH. 

Credit:

Hlumelo Tshingana and Anathi Vumazonke

Licence: Attribution, Non-Commercial CC BY-NC

Lihle Tyala - Ethembeni: The Disbanded Hope 

Yonwaba Cabane - The Perfect Storm: How Overcrowding and Poor Sanitation Contribute to the Spread of Infectious Diseases 

Saliswa Qotyiwe - The Silent Battle 

Esona Dyaro - Doorway to Hope 

Adaeza Okafor - Ubuhle Nje Ngobubi: Beauty as Ugliness 

Yonela Magcanya - Unseen Struggles 

A man walks at the side of the row with an old blanket over his shoulder.

Khayelitsha is one of the biggest townships in South Africa. The country is hailed as a “rainbow nation” with stunning natural beauty, vibrant cultures, and a complex history. However, beneath the surface lies a more unannounced reality marked by a high rate of poverty, mental health struggles, and other concerns. 

This is a portrait of Jodan. Despite being one of the most economically advanced nations, millions of people struggle to access basic necessities, like shelter, food and water. Townships and informal settlements often have limited opportunities, overpopulation, and unhygienic environments, which can lead to the spread of infectious diseases.

The truth is that success doesn’t come from sudden transformation. It comes from consistent improvements over time. If we can raise awareness now, we can create a better continent for the upcoming generation. The goal isn’t perfection. It is progress.

Credit:

Yonela Magcanya

Licence: Attribution, Non-Commercial CC BY-NC

Zizipho Mabele - Our Roots, Our Culture 

Imkhitha Mpophoma - Home 

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