A powerful photograph depicting the lack of access to tap water in Katlehong township on the East rand, is one of ten photographs to be exhibited at the International Anti-Corruption Conference in Malaysia in September.
Matie student Tony Maake, who grew up in Katlehong, took the photo in January 2015. His photograph was selected from 1 500 entries in the "Capture Corruption" international photo competition, organised by Transparency International in conjunction with the Thomson Reuters Foundation and the International Anti-Corruption Conference.
The aim of the competition was to capture the most powerful images of corruption and its devastating impact on lives around the world,
Tony, a final year BSc student at Stellenbosch University, describes himself as a passionate photographer and story teller: "I want to tell the uncomfortable and hidden stories caused by corruption. I want to educate the world with a camera in my hand, breaking down barriers and eradicating ignorance."
About the photograph he entered for the competition, he says that, in South Africa, water remains a luxury: "Even 21 years after the transition to democracy, many still lack access to taps and effective sewage systems. There are only a few operational taps in this neighbourhood, making the collection of water a daunting task for the elderly and exposing children to illnesses."
Over the past few years, there have been frequent media reports about the lack of access to clean water in Katlehong. In certain areas, over 500 households had to share only one tap.
This gifted student, who does not even own his own camera, says he only started taking photographs in 2012 when he used a friend's digital camera to take pictures of the group while on an exchange programme in Tübingen, Germany.
However, it was only while helping an exchange student from The Netherlands to shoot pictures at a community project in South Africa in 2013, that he discovered the power of a professional camera and different lenses.
He is now trying to raise funds to exhibit at a photography school in Munich, Germany, in December. He has also combined forces with the Namibian fashion designer Lourens Loux Gebhardt, better known as Loux the Vintage Guru, and 1042, a platform created for Stellenbosch students to express themselves through fashion.
Tony has been invited to be the designated photographer to portray Loux's unique African vintage style at Pitti Oumo in Italy, regarded as the world's most important platform for men's clothing and accessory collections.
In between Tony has also established the Tonys Houz Childrens Foundation, to support children living in extremely poor conditions. On campus, his popular BBM dinners (Bigger Better Movement) bring students from different races and cultures together. The only entry requirement is often only a cultural dish and a bottle of wine.
"I am the first in my family to go to university. When I came to Stellenbosch in 2011, there were many challenges. But it is up to you how you handle it.
"I want to bring people from different races, cultures and countries together, not separate them further," he concludes.
Links to other exhibitions and photographs:
Swedish Interpretation competition (finalists):
and
Art and Photography exhibition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39vRK9UnnN0
Untold stories exhibition:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5oDeGE7Rk0
BBM Dinner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvEGn4WAQ7A
Russel Botmans outing-Mzolis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKaIKxOoDYI
Past event of Tonys houz & 1042:
Tonys Houz 1042 Wine tasting & Vintage Fashion:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.322758351204445.1073741909.114059595407656&type=3
Tonys houz 1042 Street Fashion-Expo:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.364494363697510.1073741913.114059595407656&type=3
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonysHouz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonyshouz
Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyshouz/
Photo courtesy of Tonys Houz
Media release issued by Wiida Fourie-Basson, media: Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, science@sun.ac.za, 021 808 2684
