OF SOUL AND JOY

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRACTICE AS A TOOL FOR EMANCIPATION
THOKOZA, SOUTH AFRICA

Of Soul and Joy workshop in rural areas, South Africa, 2022 © Jabulani Dhlamini

Of Soul and Joy is a social and artistic mentoring programme created in 2012 by Rubis Mécénat to enable young people aged 13 to 30, from the township of Thokoza and surrounding areas of Johannesburg, to benefit from a framework and training in the field of photography. This tailor-made support system allows them to cultivate artistic expression and access new professional paths, so that they can in turn have a positive impact on their communities. 

In addition to artistic training, the project offers its beneficiaries further training (professional practices, English, life skills, etc.) and access to a network of key players in the local and international cultural scene. Each year, the project awards academic scholarships to the most promising students for higher education programmes in photography at a university of their choice, including the Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg.