Children in Thokoza, a South African township
On Monday I introduced life in Thokoza (a township south-east of Johannesburg, South Africa) with my post Shooting on foot (a.k.a. walking township streets).
I was amazed at how many children there were playing in the streets, parks and front yards while I was there (admittedly, it was a public holiday). According to the local municipality’s website there are twelve primary schools (Grades 1-7) in Thokoza, and only four high schools (which cater for grades 8-12). The high school in which we (Nikon South Africa) are involved has 1700 pupils – in buildings designed for around 1000 only. In fact, when I visited the school with a colleague last week he kept on asking, “You’re sure this school has 1700 pupils? In those buildings?” Somehow the figures just don’t add up …
You know how children so often take after (and mimic) their parents? Well, look out for the photo of the group of kids with a table of knickknacks on sale – and the one little girl “breastfeeding” her doll. Hey, that’s the reality of life in this township!
(Click on photos for better versions)
4 Comments on “Children in Thokoza, a South African township”
I'd love to hear from you. Please leave a comment.
They called me weed
I have been blogging here since around April 2011 - my little place on the blogosphere to express myself creatively. As a teenager I used to write a diary - in fact, as a 17-year-old living in Belgium, I wrote religiously every day. Fortunately the Internet didn't exist back then because my ramblings as a teenager were ever-so-slightly dark, cynical and depressing. You won't find much of that here. Also, mostly, I try not to get too deep or philosophical in this forum - I'd like my photography to uplift and inspire, and, where I can, I try to bring a bit of humour into my writing too. I've been fortunate enough to travel extensively and have made many friends across the globe. This is my spot to keep in touch with them.
Great photos, thanks for sharing. Greetings from Thailand. K
Excellent! superb photos and an interesting read…and what amazes me is that these kids just seem so happy!
Really amazing portraits. Love the eyes. You’ve captured their wonderful optimism and extraordinary happiness so beautifully. For happiness is not dependent on the stuff we have, but what we have inside.
I love the pictures. They make me almost feel like I have been there. This town looks very much like some places my family lived when I was young in Central America. In fact, it is surprising how much even though it is a totally different part of the world.