In celebration of the arts, particularly photography, we reflect on a remarkable event held this time last year. Your Luxury Africa and Private Clients by Old Mutual Wealth came together to create a memorable evening in the heart of Johannesburg’s Rosebank. Hosted at Mesh Members Club, the event centred around photography's role in shaping South African history and celebrating the success of the Stellenbosch Outdoor Photography exhibition entitled I Dream Up for Myself and Others curated by Anelisa Mangcu.
The evening featured insightful talks from notable figures including Ntokozo Maseko, former editor-in-chief of Your Luxury Africa, who discussed photography's impact on modern storytelling. Ruth Seopedi Motau, a distinguished photographic artist, shared her perspective on the power of images to preserve culture and address social issues. Anelisa Mangcu, curator of the Stellenbosch Outdoor Photography exhibition and founder of Under the Aegis, explored how photography documents and shapes South African identity. Karabo Morule, founder of Capital Art, highlighted the intersection of contemporary photography and art in bridging past and present. A key highlight was the Stellenbosch Outdoor Photography exhibition, which showcased how photography has documented pivotal moments in South African history. This event was a powerful reminder of photography’s role in preserving legacies, sparking dialogue, and reflecting the cultural journey of South Africa.
The outdoor photography exhibition Freedom, I Dream Up for Myself and Others celebrated at the Mesh members club in Johannesburg was a powerful and timely decision for several reasons. Johannesburg, as South Africa's economic and cultural hub, has long been a place where history, identity, and social change converge. The city's rich historical context—shaped by apartheid, the struggle for liberation, and ongoing conversations about transformation—provided us grounds to open up dialogues about freedom, identity, and the role of photography in documenting these themes.
Bringing this conversation to Johannesburg allowed for us to highlight and remind people that Johannesburg is the cultural and historical Center. Creating an event on the photography exhibition focused on "freedom" and bringing it to Johannesburg’s invited viewers allowed for the reflection on the evolution of these struggles and their continuing relevance. It emphasised the need to remember and understand the past while imagining a future that honours the aspirations and dreams of South Africans, past and present.
Written By Itumeleng Manne
Comments