In issue 25 of one small seed magazine, we featured a seven-page spread on local photographer Luke Daniel’s most recent project, entitled Langa. On 19 October we caught up with Luke again for an interview at Cape Town’s Iziko SA Museum where his Langa photographs were being showcased as part of the Land and Cityscape Celebration ’12 exhibition. The exhibition is now closed, but watch our video interview with Luke below! (Length: 03:35)
A closer look at Langa…
Langa is a photographic essay, centred around day-to-day life in one of South Africa’s oldest townships. A subtle investigation of an extreme socio-economic crisis, which affects the residents of Langa on a daily basis – the story of indefinite struggle and survival. An in-depth glimpse into ‘The Forgotten Township’ – largely abandoned by government, the skeleton of Langa is slowly decaying, as unemployment and crime increase and living conditions become more hopeless.
However, the heart of Langa still beats strong – with a sense of humanity and community that will rival any suburban area of Cape Town. Circumstances, which would undoubtedly cripple most leafy suburban residents, fail to break the core-spirit of Langa’s people. It’s this ‘keep on keeping on’ attitude that makes the men and women of Langa some of the strongest and resilient people in the country.
'Makwebu does Elvis' - Saturday’s in backyard, Brinton Street
'Decaying lot' - Old Flats quad, neglected, battered and forgotten.
'Sunday haircut' - Anele under the scissors, before church service
'Bush Mechanic' - General motor-service, New Flats Courtyard
'Sunday Evening' - Outside the Rastafarian shed
source: Luke Daniel Photography
photographs: Luke Daniel
