#kliptown

[sheltiechicago]

Jojo Abot

Ghanian-born singer Jojo Abot in Kliptown, a township of Soweto in Gauteng, South Africa.

Photographer: Jack McKain

Prize: Honorable Mention

Company/Studio: Jack McKain Studios

International Photo Awards 2019

[tusouthafrica]

Healing Soweto Kliptown Youth

Article, Photos and Video by: Solmaira Valerio

Article, Photos Solmaira Valerio

I started off my project by exploring how mental health was adressed in South Africa. I was curious about the types of media that economically disadvantaged communities utilized to address mental health and if mental health was even something that was addressed. Throughout my experience I found that although the phrase “ mental health” is not frequently used or brought up in conversations there are still people and organizations working towards addressing trauma, conflict and healing. Soweto Kliptown Youth ( SKY ) is one of the oldest surviving organizations in Soweto. It is a non-profit organization that aims to serve the mental and physical needs of the local neglected children and youth. The township is one of the most impoverished areas of Johannesburg, South Africa. They do not have access to professional mental health services. SKY provides a safe space for children and youth to live in and they utilize creative activities such as art, theatre, music, and dancing as a way to address internal conflicts to promote healing. 

[optikestrav]

street murals

Maboneng precinct, Johannesburg & Kliptown, Soweto

(2015)

[afrotumble]

Kliptown Youth Program, SA.