A M A N D L A / A W E T H U
introduction to the work
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 children 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.
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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.
photographer: Heleen Peeters
graphic design: Oliver Hunke, Seitenweise
text: Heleen Peeters, Ma Sibongile Mazibuko, Kim
Feinberg
year: 2010
pages: 72
edition: 200
sold out
exhibitions
– Int
Biennial of Documentary Photography (2012), Borges Centro Cultural, Buenos Aires,
Argentina
– Amandla (2012),
Parochiezaal Melsbroek, Belgium
– Amandla (2010),
Town hall Steenokkerzeel, Belgium
– Power of
Ten (2010), London College of Communication, London, United Kingdom
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prizes
– Nomination, Nadar Award 2010, Category; Fine Art
– Nomination, Julia Margaret Cameron
Award 2010, Categories; Fine Art, Self-Portraiture and Children.
– First prize, Profotio competition 2010, theme: Childhood
press
– Int Biennial of Documentary Photography(exhibition catalogue), 120 pages, 2012
– Studente stelt foto’s tentoon in
gemeentehuis, Het Nieuwblad, November 14th 2010 • read here
– Studente fotografie op reportage in
Zuid-Afrika, Het Laaste Nieuws, November 12th 2010 • read here
– Amandla, De Beiaard, November-December 2010 • read here– Fotoboek
Heleen vertelt leven in Township, Het Nieuwsblad, October 30th
2010 • read here
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.
photographer: Heleen Peeters
graphic design: Oliver Hunke, Seitenweise
text: Heleen Peeters, Ma Sibongile Mazibuko, Kim
Feinberg
year: 2010
pages: 72
edition: 200
sold out
exhibitions
– Int
Biennial of Documentary Photography (2012), Borges Centro Cultural, Buenos Aires,
Argentina
– Amandla (2012),
Parochiezaal Melsbroek, Belgium
– Amandla (2010),
Town hall Steenokkerzeel, Belgium
– Power of
Ten (2010), London College of Communication, London, United Kingdom
prizes
– Nomination, Nadar Award 2010, Category; Fine Art
– Nomination, Julia Margaret Cameron
Award 2010, Categories; Fine Art, Self-Portraiture and Children.
– First prize, Profotio competition 2010, theme: Childhood
press
– Int Biennial of Documentary Photography(exhibition catalogue), 120 pages, 2012
– Studente stelt foto’s tentoon in
gemeentehuis, Het Nieuwblad, November 14th 2010 • read here
– Studente fotografie op reportage in
Zuid-Afrika, Het Laaste Nieuws, November 12th 2010 • read here
– Amandla, De Beiaard, November-December 2010 • read here– Fotoboek
Heleen vertelt leven in Township, Het Nieuwsblad, October 30th
2010 • read here
– Amandla, De Beiaard, November-December 2010 • read here