The Beautiful Struggle: A Journey Through Post-Apartheid Realities

Ennie Tembie Cleary, aka Barbie Brazil, poses in pink with her pink dogs in her pink Johannesburg home. She believes there cannot be too much pink in a woman's life. 30 October 2018. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Afrikaans is Cheryl Engelbrecht’s mother tongue, but Engelbrecht is also fluent in English, Zulu and Sotho. Xhosa she can do so-so. All very handy given that she is a spokesperson for the SAPS (South African Police Service). It is a tough job, involving a quick eye for facts, which partly accounts for why she was standing on a Johannesburg pavement wielding her service pistol. In May 2008, as xenophobic violence swept across the country, an off-duty Engelbrecht received an urgent call to duty in Hillbrow. “About 50 or more immigrants had been injured,” she was told. Anticipating relief work, she put on her tracksuit and some comfy shoes. She walked into a firestorm. “There was random gunfire and bottles were being thrown from buildings,” remembers photographer Alon Skuy. Engelbrecht was caught in the thick of it, and at the same time was responding to media requests. Skuy, unaware of his subject’s identity, snapped this picture of Engelbrecht at work. A few weeks later she called Skuy, introducing herself and asking for a copy of her picture. (Text by Sean O’Toole. PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

A relative is consoled, ten months after the ‘Marikana Massacre’, on a cold mid-June day in 2013, the families of the deceased were bussed to Marikana, to the koppie, for a memorial and ritual cleansing at the sites of the killings. Many of the slain came from Pondoland in the Eastern Cape, among the country’s poorest communities. Some next of kin were only located and informed weeks after the massacre. Only one of the miners killed that day is buried in Marikana. John Ledingoane was 24 years old. Ledingoane’s grave in the Wonderkop Cemetery stands among blackjacks and weeds. The village goats wander through the cemetery seeking out the sun-baked granite for a spot to lie on; there’s no one to chase them off. The backdrop of Ledingoane’s grave is the cruel certainty of the mine smelter. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Refiloe Nkoane and William Nkuna share a moment at Constitution Hill, in Johannesburg South Africa, during STR.CRD, a street fashion event in the city. Street Cred is labelled as ‘Africa’s no.1 Urban youth Culture platform’, which is a combination of music, fashion, and sports for those creatives who want to get their brands/grind out there. ‘Constitution Hill is a living museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past and, today is home to the country’s Constitutional Court, which endorses the rights of all citizens. 8 November 2014. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

A man is seen pulling his pants down in defiance to police, after a bus was set alight in the city center of Braamfontein, Johannesburg. It is unknown whether the man was a student. The payment for university fees became a flashpoint for widespread protests in South Africa, which has struggled to provide jobs, education, and housing for many poor people since the end of apartheid in 1994. Violent clashes with police unfolded on campuses in Johannesburg and across the country forcing the interruption of the academic year and the shutdown of several universities in the country.
''In mid-October 2015, a student-led protest movement began in response to an increase in fees at South African universities. The Protests started at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) and spread to various other universities including the University of Cape Town and Rhodes University. The rapid spread to other universities resulted in widespread damage and discontentment amongst the authorities. The 2015 protest ended when it was announced by the South African government that there would be no tuition fee increases for 2016. Another widespread and costly protest began again in 2016, when the South African Minister of Higher Education announced that there would be fee increases capped at 8% for 2017; however, each institution was given the freedom to decide by how much their tuition would increase. Chaos erupted in various locations with resultant police action. There are some theories that protests had elements of political interference. Also, it is believed that some acts of violence and destruction to property were conducted by opportunists and criminals unrelated to the students. It is believed that protests may carry on in 2017 as many students and their supporters are still unhappy with the impasse'''. 10 October 2010. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Naturists swim with a 'domesticated' Cheetah, while on a weekend getaway, with The South African Naturist Federation. Hundreds of Naturists enjoyed a weekend away, at their annual bash, held at a Game Lodge, located in the Northern Province in the Madikwa District, in South Africa. SANFED boasts thousands of members and is the only registered Naturist Federation in the country.9 October 2010. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Chaos is a 16-year-old lion who made headlines In 2019 when he underwent radiation therapy in a hospital for humans, treatment which he received for two cancerous lesions. Rescued as a cub and hand-reared by Mattie and Eddie van Eck of Lory Park Zoo outside Johannesburg, Chaos was diagnosed with a rare squamous cell carcinoma on his nose and flank. "Due to the location of the tumour on the nose and the fact that the lion is not easy to handle, excision of the tumour was not possible," according to lead wildlife veterinarian Dr Katja Koeppel who diagnosed this and decided on the treatment. The decision was made in consultation with Prof Gerhard Steenkamp, another experienced veterinarian, to try radiation therapy. The 570 lb cat was darted, transported to Pretoria, and then wheeled into Mediclinic Muelmed on a metal gurney like a human patient for four weekly treatments that cost his owners more than $4000. For Matty, it was heart-rending to see the lion she regarded as her 'son', undergo this trauma. "It feels like thunder in my chest;" she says, "because every time we put him under, there's a chance he won't wake up", but doctors were optimistic that the radiation would be successful. Unfortunately, although Chaos was subsequently carefully monitored, he has since died. 15 May 2019. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Nazeer Saffidien poses for a portrait. Johannesburg Pride 2017. The theme for the event was #RespectDiversity. The event was held at Melrose Blvd, in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg. A short parade filled with colourfully dressed participants. They passionately walked through the streets, dancing, while festivities took place at Melrose Blvd. 28 October 2017. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Caleb Mutombo takes a selfie with fellow contestants, after competing in a bodybuilding competition, in Johannesburg. 19-year-old Caleb Mutombo, was born in The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He was born with sickle-cell anaemia, which is accompanied by physical disabilities, and which affected his arms, legs, hands and shoulders. When he was two years old, his parents brought him to South Africa in search of medical assistance. Caleb’s sister, was a match to donate blood to him, thus saving his life. When Caleb was young he started lifting objects and building his muscles because he could not participate in other sports. He body-builds because it gives him a sense of belonging and he feels that it is his way of inspiring both those with and without disabilities. His trainer, Ryan Manthe of Trinergy Health and Fitness Centre, was inspired to help him after seeing him get up on stage with other bodybuilders at a local competition. Manthe is training Caleb to be a personal trainer, a qualification that he feels might give him a steady income.
Manthe prepared Caleb to compete in the under 68 inch, under 23, Junior Bodybuilding Category in The Summer Superbodies Competition in Johannesburg. Caleb, who weighed 81 lbs, came third out of three competitors, but still regards his participation as a victory.19 November 2016. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Invisible Cities, Pirate Radio, is an imitative that broadcasted live performances by Mushroom Hour Half-hour and João Orecchia on a radio frequency, as well as live for picnickers at Rhodes Park in Kensington, on Sunday. Revellers brought their radios to tune into the music. 5 October 2014. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

A waste picker, wearing a jacket with Fuck You written on the back it, collects refuse, in a wealthy suburb of Johannesburg, during a slightly less stringent lockdown, in the Covid pandemic. 1 June 2020. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

A man poses for a photograph, inside his home, in a bridge, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The opening under the bridge is no bigger than a manhole. Beyond it lies the underbelly of one of the busiest highways in Johannesburg. Thousands of cars rush over this bridge each day, completely oblivious of the world beneath them, and contained in the hollow bridge. Inside the hole, a small group of men and women live discreetly, surfacing to work, wash and cook. When the sun sets, they retreat inside, where candlelight flows through thin partitions separating a motley mix of lives. Posters of magazine models hang on the bare concrete; dusty Persian rugs are rolled out. The highway never sleeps, it rumbles under the river of tyres. Inside it people live. They are a group of around 20 people, living as a closed-off society. They decide who joins them and who doesn’t. Some have lived inside the bridge for 15 years. They hail from various African countries – namely, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Kenya, and Malawi – but live as one, surviving in a world with little electricity, fresh water, or healthcare. 19 July 2008. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Professional dancer Musa Motha, who dances on crutches, poses after a practice session in Newtown, Johannesburg, South Africa. Musa was a rising football player when, at the age of 11, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of cancer that affects young people and produces immature bone. As a result, his leg was amputated below the knee. Musa refocused his ambitions on his love for music and took up dance. He has learned how to use gravity and his crutches, together with the physical flexibility he learned as a football player, to perfect his moves. He performs with the Vuyani Dance Theatre, a contemporary dance company in Johannesburg. 18 September 2019. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Men gather in protest, In Marikana. On 16 August 2012, 34 striking mineworkers in Marikana, South Africa, were killed, and 78 injured, in what was the deadliest use of violence by the South African security forces against its civilians since the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 and the demise of the heinous system of apartheid in 1994. In total, 44 men lost their lives throughout the strike. The reason for the so-called ‘Wildcat’ strike, is that the miners were fighting for a ‘living’ wage, the amount a meagre R12,500.00. per month (approximately USD 750). Mining’s migrant labour system and its legacy continue to be pervasive with many men supporting their families back home. The Marikana Massacre, a ‘watershed’ moment in the country's young democracy, has had deep and long-lasting reverberations in South African society. The devastating effects of inter-generational trauma persist a decade on. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

On 16 August 2012, 34 striking mineworkers in Marikana, South Africa, were killed, and 78 injured, in what was the deadliest use of violence by the South African security forces against its own civilians since the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 and the demise of the heinous system of apartheid in 1994. In total, 44 men lost their lives throughout the strike. The reason for the so-called ‘Wildcat’ strike, is that the miners were fighting for a ‘living’ wage, the amount a meagre R12,500.00. per month (approximately USD 750). Mining’s migrant labour system and its legacy continue to be pervasive with many men supporting their families back home. The Marikana Massacre, a ‘watershed’ moment in the country's young democracy, has had deep and long-lasting reverberations in South African society. The devastating effects of inter-generational trauma persist a decade on. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

On 16 August 2012, 34 striking mineworkers in Marikana, South Africa, were killed, and 78 injured, in what was the deadliest use of violence by the South African security forces against its own civilians since the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 and the demise of the heinous system of apartheid in 1994. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Community member, Nofikile Mnyiphika, poses for a portrait, inside the Maximum Harvest church, in Nkaneng,10 years after the tragic event.
On 16 August 2012, 34 striking mineworkers in Marikana, South Africa, were killed, and 78 injured, in what was the deadliest use of violence by the South African security forces against its own civilians since the Sharpeville massacre of 1960 and the demise of the heinous system of apartheid in 1994. 12 May 2022. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Thuli Makweba, begs for money, at a traffic light, in a wealthy suburb of Johannesburg, using a long stick and a bucket, in response to fear around social distancing. Food insecurity was one of the main issues facing the country since the start of the lockdown imposed on 30 April 2020 in a bid to slow down the spread of the Covid-19 disease South Africa remained on level 4 in the lockdown's 56th consecutive day.22 May 2020. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Lucanda, the youngest daughter of Betty Ketani, breaks down in tears at the shallow grave where her mother was found buried in Leo Street, Kenilworth, Johannesburg “…If you are reading this then I am dead.” This is the opening line of a letter found hidden under a carpet in 2012. The letter was a confession to a murder committed 13 years earlier and reignited a case long thought to be cold – the kidnapping and murder of a woman named Betty Ketani. The man who wrote the letter may have feared death at the time, but today he remains very much alive. The reopening of the Ketani case would lead to an investigation, which spanned five countries, relied on the help of a world-renowned DNA laboratory and saw a once popular and acclaimed Rosebank restaurant close literally overnight, its owner slipping out of the country. It would also add a chilling layer of meaning to this photograph of the author of the letter, taken eighteen months before the confession letter was discovered at a house in southern Johannesburg... Betty Ketani, a mother of three came to Johannesburg in the 1990s in search of work and a better life for her family. She landed a job as a cook at Cranks, one of the city’s most popular Thai restaurants. Life seemed to be taking a turn for the better until one day Betty mysteriously disappeared – never to be seen again...Carrington Laughton (pictured), 'one of the men accused of killing Betty Ketani, and the author of the confession at the heart of the case, was sentenced to serve 30 years in jail. The Palm Ridge Court sentenced Carrington Laughton and his two co-accused in the so-called "cold case". Ketani was murdered 17 years ago in a crime detailed in a three-page letter, which was found hidden under a carpet. 11 May 2016. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Attendees watch the models, during Fashion Week, at The Rand Club, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Rand Club was founded in 1887, a year after the establishment of the new township of Johannesburg.’ Rand Club’s colourful and often dramatic history is closely linked with the fortunes of the world’s greatest goldfield and the emergence of modern democratic South Africa. It has figured in political upheavals in which it officially took no part. In January 1896 many of its leading members, men of the Reform Committee, were arrested and later sentenced for high treason for their part in planning the Jameson Raid against President Paul Kruger’s government of the Zuid- Afrikaansche Republiek.’ 16 February 2011. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Siphiwe Mbatha, poses for a photograph, at Constitution Hill, in Johannesburg South Africa, during STR.CRD, a street fashion event in the city. Street Cred is labelled as ‘Africa’s no.1 Urban youth Culture platform’, which is a combination of music, fashion, sports and for those creatives who want to get their brands/grind out there. ‘Constitution Hill is a living museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past and, today is home to the country’s Constitutional Court, which endorses the rights of all citizens’. 8 November 2014. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Julie Otobo, a model from Nigeria, poses backstage, before a show, at Melrose Arch, in Johannesburg. Designers from all over the African continent showcased their latest collections at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa (MBFWAfrica) 29 October 2014. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Rose Mhlanga, talks about losing her daughter, Kate. It is believed that Kate was killed by a serial killer. Rose works as a Domestic Worker in Pretoria.
South Africa has recorded a high number of serial murders in its modern history. Since the mid-1990s, over 170 murder series have been identified by the South African Police Service 14 March 2014. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Nelson Mandela, photographed during a visit from a young soccer team, from Bree Primary School, in Mayfair, JHB. The team won the 2008 Danone Nations Cup and represented South Africa in France. Houghton, Johannesburg. ‘Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist, politician, and statesman who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by fostering racial reconciliation. 27 August 2008. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

Gareth Cliff, a controversial media personality, went head-to-head with television channel, M-Net, in the Johannesburg High Court. His legal representative Dali Mpofu was also present. They walk past 'waste picker' Oscar Maile after a session on the first day of court. Cliff was fighting for his job as an Idols judge, which he lost after he waded into the race debate that exploded after Penny Sparrow called black beachgoers "monkeys”. He sued M-Net for R25m and wanted his job back on the reality singing show after being abruptly fired. Ultimately the case was won, and Cliff was reinstated as judge. 26 January 2016. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY)

A man attempts to extinguish a shack fire, on the East Rand of Johannesburg, during an outbreak of xenophobic violence. More than 14 years have passed since deadly xenophobic attacks swept unexpectedly through South Africa’s townships and informal settlements. The 2008 wave of violence left more than 60 people dead, hundreds injured and tens of thousands displaced from their homes, forcing them to find refuge in makeshift refugee camps, community halls and police stations. 19 May 2008. (PHOTOGRAPH: ALON SKUY) DM

The exhibition presented by Iris PhotoCollective (IPC) and IPC ArtSpace opened on Saturday 28 September at IPC ArtSpace, in Miami, Florida.