Published in partnership with the Goethe Institut and Jacana Media in May 2010, Jodi Bieber’s most recent book is Soweto, which offers a celebration and portrait of life in the sprawling township today."The importance of Soweto in the collective consciousness is hard to overstate,” the Jacana Media press material. “It registers as a place born of resistance, perhaps even embodying the South African struggle for freedom. But the birth of Kwaito is attributed to Soweto too. And beyond the grand narratives, there is and always was a proliferation of dancing, art and fashion in this place defined by its energy and cosmopolitan nature."
In a casual conversation with her French/Swedish friend, Axel Gylden, who writes for L’Express, he drew her attention to the fact that there were very few contemporary photographic books on Soweto. This got her thinking.
“Soweto is on our doorstep and sometimes we take significant things and places for granted,” states Jodi Bieber in her opening, From Which Country Are You?. Early in her photographic career, she would ask Robin Comley, then-picture editor of The Star newspaper if she could go and take her own photographs in Soweto. “I remember as the light softened in the late afternoon,” she writes, “the gogos (grandmothers in Zulu) on the streets used to say: ”don’t stay too long, the tsotsis (criminals) will be out after dark”. Finally, they would ask me, “From which country are you?” “
The image of the limp body of Hector Pieterson being carried in the 1976 student uprising is arguably the most famous image of Soweto. Other stereotypical images are dusty streets, poverty and gang culture but Bieber set out to change these perceptions. Travelling 7,000 kilometres by car over three months, she stopped whenever her instinct told her there was a good photograph to be taken.
Author Niq Mhlongo (Dog Eat Dog and After Tears, both published by Kwela) offers Zwakal’eMsawawa, in which he shares his memories of growing up in Soweto. The foreword is written by Peter Anders and Cara Snyman of the Goethe-Institut.
Life in Soweto is based outdoors – on the pavements and in the streets and music is everywhere, different styles, different rhythms – and very loud! Fashion defies description, many humble shacks are decorated with dignity, pride and creativity and the variety of food on offer now even includes vegetarian.
The images in this book are fascinating and capture a unique vitality. Yes, indeed, there are dilapidated buildings, graffiti-ridden walls, rubble, tin shanties with stones holding down roofs – but there’s also a sense of style, individualism and a positive attitude. There are some heart-warming photographs of families – and a delicious picture of wide-eyed twins in 54 jerseys and brand new shoes! There’s also a strong sense of spirituality and faith alongside people in trendy gear. Each picture has a story to tell if you take the time to let it speak to you.
Soweto is available from leading book stores: ISBN 978-1-77009-806-0. More information on www.jodibieber.com – Caroline Smart