AMANDLA/AWETHU
It is
important to look within ourselves and make HIV/AIDS an individual journey,
make it personal and do something about it. What we think, or what we know, or
what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is
what we do.
- Ma Sibongile Mazibuko, founder of Nanga Vhutshilo
Positive Living Center.


Ma Sibongile Mazibuko is the founder and director of
Nanga Vhutshilo a home and community-based AIDS support program for children
who are in need of care. She started the centre after her son was diagnosed
with HIV. Having responded to the challenge of this epidemic through her own
personal experience, she was forced to deal directly with the impact of this
disease. This experience unlocked a deep understanding regarding what was
happening in her surrounding community. Ma Sibongile realized how important a
positive and supportive attitude was. With the aim to reduce stigma and promote
positive
living, she decided to dedicate her life with assisting people around
her.
Ma Sibongile Mazibuko is the founder and director of
Nanga Vhutshilo a home and community-based AIDS support program for children
who are in need of care. She started the centre after her son was diagnosed
with HIV. Having responded to the challenge of this epidemic through her own
personal experience, she was forced to deal directly with the impact of this
disease. This experience unlocked a deep understanding regarding what was
happening in her surrounding community. Ma Sibongile realized how important a
positive and supportive attitude was. With the aim to reduce stigma and promote
positive
living, she decided to dedicate her life with assisting people around her.
living, she decided to dedicate her life with assisting people around her.








To be
there for them, as they are orphans;
to be
their mother to them, sharing a shoulder to lean on.
This is
why I became a caregive
-
Euphemia Malise Mankune, caregiver at
Nanga Vhutsilo
























Amandla/Awethu
2009-2010
Amandla is a Zulu word meaning ‘power’ or ‘strength’.
The word was a popular rallying cry in the days of resistance against
Apartheid. The leader of group would call out Amandla! and the crowd would respond with Awehtu (to us).
Amandla gives an insight into the life
of children who have been effected by the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. In
2010 it was estimated that 5,3 million people in South Africa were infected with
HIV and AIDS. Together with unprotected sex, mother-to-child transmission was the
main infection route. The country counted over 1,5 million AIDS orphans. The
proportion of maternal orphans, those who had lost their parents by AIDS but were not infected with the viruses themselves, was over 70%.
The series gives a view into the life of childeren who became adults before their time. It shows their
bravery, ambition and strength, while also encouraging the viewer to come face to
face with the harsh reality of growing up alone.
Related
- Int Biennial of Documentary Photography(exhibition catalogue), 120 pages, 2012
- Studente stelt foto’s tentoon in
gemeentehuis, Het Nieuwblad, November 14th 2010
- Studente fotografie op reportage in
Zuid-Afrika, Het Laaste Nieuws, November 12th 2010
- Fotoboek
Heleen vertelt leven in Township, Het Nieuwsblad, October 30th
2010
- 2010, Ba (Hons) Photography, Graduates 2010 (exhibition catalogue), 72 pages, UAL Press, 2010
Book
Amandla/Awethu was published as a small book.
The profit from the sale was donated to Nanga Vhutsilo Positive Living Center, a local charity that focuses on the needs of orphaned and vulnerable
children. They offer support programs educating not only the children but also
the family and its surrounding community. Unlike traditional orphanage houses
they run a unique program, which connects child-headed households with a mother
figure that looks after the child. They hope that by assisting the children to
grow up as a productive members of society they can help strengthen family
structures and the local community.
Photographer: Heleen Peeters
Graphic Design: Oliver Hunke, Seitenweise
Text: Heleen Peeters, Ma Sibongile Mazibuko, Kim
Feinberg
Year: 2010
Pages: 72
Edition: 200
Sold out
Prizes
2010 - Finalist Nadar Award, Category; Fine Art
2010 - 3x Honourable Mention Julia Margaret Cameron
Award, Categories; Fine Art, Self-Portraiture and Children.
2010 - Winner Profotio competition, theme: Childhoo
Exhibition
2012 - Int
Biennial of Documentary Photography, Borges Centro Cultural, Buenos Aires,
Argentina
2012 – Amandla,
Parochiezaal Melsbroek, Belgium
2010 - Amandla,
Town hall Steenokkerzeel, Belgium
2010 - Power of
Ten, London College of Communication, London, United Kingdom


Photo © Masayo Matsuda
Photo © Ash Tailor