Photojournalistic Documentation in South Africa

The XVI ISA World Congress of Sociology was held in Durban, South Africa this summer (July 23-29 2006).  It was an ideal location for the Congress as this year's principal theme was "The Quality of Social Existence in a Globalising World."  The Department was well represented as participants included faculty members, Alesia Montgomery and Jualynne Dodson, as well as graduate students Juan Bustamante and Cedric Taylor.  While in South Africa, Cedric Taylor took the opportunity to document his experiences using a photojournalistic approach.
	Juan and Cedric are shown here hanging out and "chatting it up" with some conference assistant volunteers. It's not really alcohol that I'm consuming.
Juan Bustamante in action! He is presenting at the ISA Congress.
	After spending a few days in Durban, Juan and I rented a car and drove some 588 km (365 miles) to Johannesburg.  This picture shows a landscape of Johannesburg.
This is an indoor photo of the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.  Locals and tourists alike, relive the harrows of a system of racial segregation that was enforced in South Africa from 1948 to 1994.  These are typical signs that were placed in places of business.  Inside the cages are enlarged laminated identification cards that persons were forced to carry.  Cards indicated whether one was "black," "white" or "coloured."
	This is an outside shot of the museum.
The photo to the right shows students protesting a law making Afrikaans (a Low Franconian language introduced to the region by Dutch settlers) the sole language of instruction.
	Here is a photo of some school girls.  I was often followed by many children who wanted me to take their photo.  They are also fascinated with American hip hop culture and often mistook me for an American.  They are invariably disappointed when I revealed that I was from a country the majority had never heard of.
This is Nelson Mandela's old house.
	The church was a focal point of black resistance to apartheid.  The Regina Mundi Church in Soweto functioned as a refuge and meeting venue for anti-apartheid activists.  It was only a matter before police caught on.

These photos (below) are evidence of how the police force attempted to suppress activism by any means necessary.

This photo shows the alter, damaged with the butt of a policeman's rifle.	This photo depicts how the hand on this Jesus statue, located inside the church, was blown off by gun fire.  A caretaker subsequently sawed off the other hand for sake of balance.

Blacks in the post-apartheid period continue to experience grinding poverty.  Many parts of Soweto have no electricity or running water.

The pictures below were taken in Lesedi Cultural Village.

These pictures below were taken at the rhino and lion park.

 

Zulus performing a war dance (Umghubha).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional photos from the Apartheid Museum.  Students are commonly credited with initiating anti-apartheid riots in Soweto and in other parts of the country. 

This is an outside photo of the Apartheid Museum.

This picture shows students protesting a law making Afrikaans (a Low Franconian language introduced to the region by Dutch settlers) the sole language of instruction.

Here is a photo of some school girls.  I was often followed by many children who wanted me to take their photo.  They are also fascinated with American hip hop culture and often mistook me for an American.  They are invariably disappointed when I revealed that I was from a country the majority had never heard of.

This is Nelson Mandela's old house

The church was a focal  point of black resistance to apartheid.  The Regina Mundi Church in Soweto functioned as a refuge and meeting venue for anti-apartheid activists.  It was only a matter before police caught on.

These photos are evidence of how the police force attempted to suppress activism by any means necessary.

This photo shows the alter, damaged with the butt of a policeman's rifle,

This photo depicts how the hand on this Jesus statue, located inside the church, was blown off by gun fire.  A caretaker subsequently sawed off the other hand for sake of balance.

Blacks in the post-apartheid period continue to experience grinding poverty.  Many parts of Soweto have no electricity or running water.

Lesedi Cultural Village

The lion and rhino park

Zulus performing a war dance (Umghubha).