LONG TERM PROJECT:
hein waschefort
Another shadow – 22 February 2015 – Like Kori 4 years earlier, Sammy is a new young boy who is also always in the vicinity of the older men without being seen or taken notice of, yet another ‘shadow child’. Subject is aware of photographer’s presence.
Rainbow nation – 24 May 2015 – With toys and colouring books and pencils donated to the children on a Sunday morning they headed to their popular playground next to the railway line. These children of diverse cultures and even from different countries connect socially at this settlement to fend for themselves as a group. Subjects are aware of photographer’s presence.
Not so Lucky – 24 May 2015 – From left to right; Kennith, Lucky and Sammy. The older children start to ‘pimp’ themselves dressing in a pseudo ‘Rural Hip Hop’ style. This is influenced from truck drivers and other shibeen visitors from the main road. They will more than likely soon visit shibeens themselves and some of the young girls will inevitably become prostitutes like their mothers. A history that will repeat itself from one generation to the next. Subjects are aware of photographer’s presence.
Shadow Children: Life and Strife: 2015
All photos and story by Hein Waschefort 2016
The Elder – 24 May 2015 - Sannie (2ND from left) with Margaret on her right, Alicia on her left and her daughter Christina with green jersey. Sannie is now one of the oldest residents of this settlement and talk of improvements; her daughter Christina goes to a nearby school with a bus which picks her up in the mornings, free of charge, and her husband Jan works at a factory. Yet much is still the same, no ablution facilities, alcohol is still abused and the rubbish, stench, and pollution around settlement , are getting bigger and bigger. Group posed and interacted with photographer.
Hiding and surviving – 24 May 2015 – Behind the shibeen next to the shacks the rubbish and even human excrement is getting more by the day with no apparent effort from anybody to control this situation. On the left is Bengan and his Father Fanuel from Zimbabwe. Many Zimbabweans come to South African cities with the hope of finding work, this hope is intermingled with fear, since xenophobia is a brewing danger in rural areas. Subjects are aware of photographer’s presence.
Cry a tear – 24 May 2015 – Beauty is unhappy with her friends who grabbed all the toys donated to the children of the settlement leaving her with nothing. Subjects are aware of photographer’s presence.
