Of Soul & Joy Photo Festival 2025 Celebrates Photography in Thokoza

The Of Soul & Joy (OSJ) Project successfully hosted the 5th edition of its Photo Festival, and in doing so, it marked an impressive milestone of 13 years dedicated to nurturing photographic talent, storytelling, and artistic growth in South Africa.

This rich legacy not only highlights the project’s commitment but also emphasises its significant impact on the local art community

Meanwhile, the Of Soul Joy Photo Festival 2025 took place in the township of Thokoza at the Buhlebuzile Secondary School on Saturday, 18 October, celebrating the creativity and dynamism of OSJ photographers while also showcasing the project’s ongoing impact in local and rural communities through a day-long celebration of art, culture, and social empowerment.

OSJ’s 13-Year Legacy in Photography Development

Over the past 13 years, OSJ has consistently trained emerging photographers from Thokoza and surrounding areas, equipping them with the skills to tell meaningful stories and participate in the global creative landscape.

In fact, many alumni have achieved international recognition, with exhibitions, awards, and residencies that highlight the power of photography as a tool for social change. As project manager Jabulani Dhlamini reflects:

“The best achievement is the impact it has made on the students, industry, and community at large. It brings a special dynamic to the creative industry by encouraging collective work and collaboration with all the local players. Some of our beneficiaries have become successful professional photographers with work that has won awards and been exhibited internationally. We support them over the long term, encouraging them and celebrating their successes, with many of them, in turn, become mentors for the project.”

~ Jabulani Dhlamini (Project Manager, Of Soul & Joy)

Festival Highlights and Programme Success

The Of Soul Joy Photo Festival 2025 featured a vibrant program that included exhibitions, talks, performances, and interactive activities for the public.

Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to explore projects from Merafe Hostel, as well as those from rural KwaZulu-Natal’s Nquthu and Nkandla, and Tzaneen, Limpopo, through screenings, prints, and live discussions. Moreover, the festival provided multiple engagement opportunities for visitors of all ages.

Of Soul & Joy Photo Festival Programme Highlights:

All Day: Outdoor exhibitions by OSJ photographers and mentors, along with an interactive photo studio, Camera Obscura, face painting, and photo booth games with special prizes.

13:00 – 13:45: Of Soul & Joy and its Success Stories – A play by the Sabelo Makhubu Foundation, followed by a talk with OSJ alumni Tshepiso Mazibuko and Sibusiso Bheka on how photography transformed their lives.

13:45 – 14:30: Empowering Women Through Photography – A performance by beneficiaries of Merafe Hostel with the Musawamaswazi Community Organisation, accompanied by a talk with mentors Tshepiso Mabula, Naledi Mkupa, and OSJ student Life Ngubeni, exploring the experience of women in the arts.

14:30 – 15:30: Live music by the Buhlebuzile Alumni Jazz Band.

15:30 – 16:00: Using Cinema as a Tool for Expression with Cinema Take – Screenings of films created by OSJ students and a talk with Muriel Huet, Mpumelelo Mcata, and students Lerato Hashe and Millicent Hatibaki.

16:00 – 17:00: Raising Awareness About Photography in Remote Communities – Traditional dance by Merafe Hostel Girls (Musawamaswazi Community Organisation), followed by a discussion with mentors Jabulani Dhlamini, Thandile Zwelibanzi, and Swazi Tshabalala about OSJ outreach workshops in rural areas and hostels.

Of Soul & Joy Photo Festival: Featured Speakers and Mentors at the Festival

The festival showcased an impressive lineup of established photographers and mentors who have contributed to OSJ’s success. Notably, each mentor brought unique expertise to the event:

Jabulani Dhlamini, documentary photographer and OSJ project manager, whose acclaimed work explores post-apartheid South Africa, collective memory, and personal narratives.

Sibusiso Bheka, a Thokoza-born photographer known for evocative nighttime township imagery, is internationally exhibited and awarded.

Naledi Mkupa, a South African visual artist passionate about self-expression and social commentary through photography.

Thandile Zwelibanzi, currently based in Mogale City, is the sixth recipient of the Edward Ruiz Mentorship at the Market Photo Workshop. His body of work produced through the mentorship has been exhibited extensively, including at the 9th Rencontres de Bamako African Biennial in Mali.

Tshepiso Mabula is a documentary photographer and also a member of the Umhlabathi Collective.

Mpumelelo Mcata, filmmaker, musician, and cultural activist, is widely recognised for his work with the BLK JKS.

Muriel Huet is a social entrepreneur, education activist, and film curator with 18 years of experience exploring cinema and cultural exchange.

Celebrating Community Empowerment Through Visual Arts

The Of Soul Joy Photo Festival 2025 proved to be a rich celebration of photography, storytelling, and community empowerment, successfully inviting the public to experience the transformative power of the visual arts while engaging with South Africa’s rich and diverse cultural narratives.

As a result, the festival demonstrated how photography continues to serve as a powerful tool for social change and personal development in South African communities.

Beyond the exhibitions and performances, the event also strengthened connections between emerging artists and established mentors, creating lasting networks that will benefit the creative community for years to come.

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