Johannesburg Photographers Take Jozi’s Story Global
Johannesburg photographers are bringing the city’s vibrant and complex stories to international audiences. In particular, from township streets to European galleries, six young South African photographers are carrying Johannesburg’s raw and unfiltered narratives through their unique and powerful lenses.
Johannesburg Photographers: OSJ’s Mission
A city marked by sharp contrasts, Johannesburg embodies resilience and hardship, chaos and beauty, as well as survival and reinvention.
Beneath the surface, it is precisely this layered identity that six emerging Johannesburg photographers are capturing and bringing to the world stage, where they are expertly revealing the complexities that continue to shape both their art and their experiences.
Through powerful images, these emerging powerhouses have transformed the city’s struggles, victories, and overlooked voices into visual stories that resonate beyond South Africa, effectively capturing not only the city’s spirit but also reclaiming its story.
All six photographers are part of the Of Soul and Joy (OSJ) project, a Thokoza-based mentorship initiative by Rubis Mécénat and Easigas. This international feat is a massive milestone for OSJ, since the project has, since 2012, been empowering young South Africans to use photography as a tool for storytelling, self-expression, and social change.
Johannesburg Photographers in Brussels
Between 11 September and 21 December 2025, the Fondation A (A Foundation) museum in Brussels, Belgium, will showcase the work of six OSJ artists: Sibusiso Bheka, Jabulani Dhlamini, Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo, Vuyo Mabheka, Xolani Ngubeni, and Zwelibanzi Zwane, at the celebrated What’s the Word? Johannesburg! Exhibition.
Moreover, the exhibition—curated by Emilie Demon from the Afronova Gallery, Johannesburg’s acclaimed Pan-African gallery for modern and contemporary art—notably draws inspiration from the 1975 song “Johannesburg” by American jazz poet and singer Gil Scott-Heron.
In doing so, the exhibition brings together overarching themes of identity, transformation, resilience, and vibrancy.
When it comes to the themes captured by Johannesburg photographers, broader motifs include historical trauma, post-apartheid aspirations, vulnerability in love and fatherhood, and the silenced voices of marginalised communities – all serving as a visual reflection of Johannesburg’s complex legacy.
South African Photographers in Switzerland
Meanwhile, in Switzerland, Vuyo Mabheka and Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo will also join 60 other international artists as they present their work at the Gen Z (Shaping a New Gaze) exhibition at Photo Elysée in Lausanne (18 September 2025 to 01 February 2026) – exploring the challenges and visions of their generation.
This moment is about more than just international recognition.
It is about young South Africans reclaiming their stories, creating new archives, and bringing these realities of Johannesburg to the world stage.
~ Jabulani Dhlamini, OSJ Project Manager
Johannesburg Photographers at OSJ Festival
On the local front, OSJ is set to honour these achievements with its 5th bi-annual Photo Festival, which takes place on 18 October 2025 at Buhlebuzile High School in Thokoza—a celebration that underscores how international success is mirrored by community pride at home.
Johannesburg Photographers’ Global Impact
Ultimately, by spanning the pavements of Thokoza all the way to the cultural capitals of Europe, the OSJ photographers continue to prove that their city – in all its contradictions – absolutely belongs on the global cultural stage.
Explore More About Johannesburg’s Photographers
To dive deeper into the world of these talented Johannesburg photographers, visit the Afronova Gallery for insights into their curatorial vision, explore the Fondation A Museum for details on the Brussels exhibition, or check out Photo Elysée to learn more about the Gen Z showcase in Lausanne.
About Of Soul & Joy
Of Soul & Joy – a 2012 initiative by Easigas and the Rubis Group endowment fund, Rubis Mécénat – is a social and artistic mentorship programme dedicated to empowering young South Africans through creativity.
By providing mentorship, training, and support, the programme aims to cultivate creative expression and storytelling skills among the youth, enabling them to have a positive impact on their communities.
Through photography and various art forms, Of Soul & Joy encourages dialogue and addresses pressing social issues while celebrating the unique voices and perspectives of South Africa’s youth.
