South Africa to the World: Young Photographers Carry Jozi’s Story Across Continents

Johannesburg’s contradictions: resilience and hardship, chaos and beauty, survival and reinvention, are stepping onto the global stage through the lenses of six emerging South African photographers. From township streets to European galleries, they are transforming the city’s raw realities into visual stories that resonate far beyond its borders.

All six are part of the Of Soul and Joy (OSJ) project, a Thokoza-based mentorship initiative founded by Rubis Mécénat in partnership with Easigas. Since 2012, OSJ has equipped young South Africans to use photography as a tool for storytelling, self-expression, and social change. This latest milestone sees the project’s talent celebrated in two major European exhibitions this year.

From 11 September to 21 December 2025, the Fondation A museum in Brussels, Belgium will host What’s the Word? Johannesburg!, a group exhibition featuring Sibusiso Bheka, Jabulani Dhlamini, Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo, Vuyo Mabheka, Xolani Ngubeni, and Zwelibanzi Zwane. Curated by Emilie Demon of Afronova Gallery, the show draws inspiration from Gil Scott-Heron’s 1975 anthem Johannesburg and explores themes of identity, transformation, resilience, and vibrancy.

The photographs delve into historical trauma, post-apartheid aspirations, vulnerability in love and fatherhood, and the often-silenced voices of marginalised communities, creating a striking visual reflection of the city’s layered legacy.

At almost the same time, Vuyo Mabheka and Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo will present their work at Photo Elysée in Lausanne, Switzerland. Their participation in Gen Z (Shaping a New Gaze), running 18 September 2025 to 1 February 2026, places them alongside 60 international artists examining the challenges and visions of their generation.

“This moment is about more than just international recognition,” says Jabulani Dhlamini, OSJ Project Manager. “It is about young South Africans reclaiming their stories, creating new archives, and bringing the realities of Johannesburg to the world stage.”

The celebration continues back home with the 5th OSJ Bi-Annual Photo Festival on 18 October 2025 at Buhlebuzile High School in Thokoza, honouring the photographers’ achievements and inspiring the next wave of storytellers.

From the pavements of Thokoza to the cultural capitals of Europe, the OSJ photographers are proving that Johannesburg belongs firmly on global cultural stages.