From the African Streets Volume 1

VOLUME I AUGUST 2023
from
the African
Streets

see my city:
AUGUST 2023
A reality life offers us is in both good and bad existing at the same
time. Another is in how our opinions can be shaped by the
information we take in, which more often than not leads us to
conclude that something is either good or bad. The stories we hear,
see and share have impact. When the call out was made for this
volume, the first sentence read:
You have narrative power.
While it was to the photographer interested in sharing their work, this
phrase holds true for all of us as we all play a role in shaping the
narrative surrounding our cities. Visual storytelling is dynamic;
transcending language and literacy barriers. The African
photographer is in an interesting position as with a growing interest
in African stories, who else is in a better position to narrate them?
As you go through this photography focused publication, I encourage
you to not only join us in celebrating the photographer’s work and all
it beholds, but to bring to mind the narratives you have had
surrounding the cities showcased and be open to having them
challenged. The theme “See my city” is a call to action, and an
encouragement to see our continent for all it is.
— Anesu-Tendesai Chikumba

see my city:
Accra, Ghana
Paul Addo (5,6)
Abraham Acquah (7)
AUGUST 2023
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fekadu Baye Belay (3,4)
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Thamsanqa Sibanda (21-24)
Daar es Salaam, Tanzania
Malembo Simbano (13,14)
Durban, South Africa
Phopolo Maloka (9,10)
Harare, Zimbabwe
Usher Nyambi (19,20)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Bantubahle Mhlangu (8)
Phopolo Maloka (11)
Kamplala, Uganda
Butsya Smith (15)
Derrick Magezi Kagena (16)
see my city:
Kartoum / Toti Island,Sudan
Hafsa boraei Mohammed (12)
Lusaka, Zmbia
Maingaila Muvundika (17,18)
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FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
ETHOPIA
Fekadu Baye Belay| Life style: Mixco street, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023
3

ETHOPIA
Fekadu Baye Belay| Bole street: Beautiful Sky, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2023
4

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
GHANA
Paul Addo| Accra Central High Street, Accra, Ghana, 2023
5

GHANA
Paul Addo | Airport City, Accra, Ghana, 2022.
Paul Addo | Ridge Business Area, Accra, Ghana, 2022.
6

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
GHANA
Abraham Acquah | Ring Road, Accra Ghana, 2023
7

SOUTH AFRICA
Bantubahle Khotso Mahlangu| Archive, Johannesburg, South Africa 2015
8

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
Paul Addo | Airport City. Accra, Ghana, 2022.
Paul Addo | Ridge Business Area, Accra, Ghana, 2022.
9

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
SOUTH AFRICA
Phopolo Maloka | Calmer Harbour, Durban,
South Africa 2015
10

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
SOUTH AFRICA
Phopolo Maloka | Loner (Santech tower shot between buildings), Johannesburg, South Africa 2015
11

SUDAN
Hafsa Boraei Mohammed | The capital is in the arms of the island, Khartoum, 2020
This is a picture of the capital taken from the island of Toti
12

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1

TANZANIA
Malembo Simbano |
Dar es Salaam, 2022
The biggest and busiest port
in Tanzania which serves as a
gate for Tanzania, Uganda,
Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi,
Zambia and DRC Congo.
14

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
UGANDA
Butsya Smith | Night traffic, Kampala, Uganda, 2023
15

UGANDA
Derrick Magezi Kagena|Boda Boda, Kampala, Uganda, 2023
16

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
Maingaila Muvundika|Undressed, Lusaka, 2022
The mannequins the street vendors in the CBD use were always clothed when I would see them but once I got this
internship, I saw the CBD in its set up phase because of how early I would pass through it.
17

ZAMBIA
Maingaila Muvundika | Lusaka Under Construction, Lusaka, 2022
Taken deep in Ibex Hill. Construction has spread like a wild fire. Everywhere you look, the city is being smothered
in cement and concrete block as everyone builds their dream property.
18

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
Usher Nyambi | My City in Noir 1, Harare, Zimbabwe, 2023
19

ZIMBABWE
Usher Nyambi | My City in Noir 2, Harare, Zimbabwe, 2023
20

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
Thamsanqa Sibanda | Gijima mfana, Donnington, KoBulawayo, 2023
21

ZIMBABWE
Thamsanqa Sibanda | Ngisake ngikhumbule kahle, Donnington, KoBulawayo, 2023
22

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
1. Gijima mfana.
Simply put "Oh Run Boy, Oh Boy" this is a desperate
plea from an unlucky employee who was grabbed by
retrenchment and chucked away to the confines of his
campestral environs. Now he asks his pal who's
assumedly in town oftenly or rather still employed as
shown by the company logo (WT is acronym for
Western Transport which is a courier and logistics
company) at the back of the worksuit which the cyclist
is wearing, to go and lend an eye at their workplace
and implore from the would-be employers for a
second time of employment as his retirement was
impromptu and way too soon.wami awusekho la,
Donnington, KoBulawayo, Zimbabwe, 2023
2. Umoya wami awusekho la.
No words would can fully articulate the message and
feeling that title together with the image carries.
Perhaps "take me aback to the good olden days" or
"heal a butchered, bruised and tortured soul" comes
closer, but NO! somethings are better off left unsaid.
3. Ngisake ngikhumbule kahle.
Memories, nostalgia and rememberance are part and
parcel of this shot. Big factories that were operational
and head-quartering the largest companies in the
nation during their hey days are now reduced, left and
turned into churches today. In every chat I have had
with an elderly who worked during "thuntu
ziyathunqa" era passing through the site invokes a
poignant feeling and always initiates a long chat
detailing how the productive, busy and beautiful the
place used to be. That's why the piece is called ngisake
ngikhumbule kahle which means "Let me remember."
23

THAMSANQA SIBANDA, UMOYA WAMI SERIES, KO BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE, 2023.
4. Ngabe ngiyasebenza.
I was in Old Pumula - an old and notorious
neighborhood in Bulawayo and it had been raining
that whole day. I made this shot around 4 - 5PM,
towards the day end and the shops area of the hoods
tends to usually get busy. I was drawn to the icecream
vendor who was pushing his cart to knock off.
Something was not alright, because who could really
buy an ice-cream when it was a wet and cold day
worse off in area where there were other important
stuff to buy than just an ice-cream? But here
19
the man
was with no sales for the day. Fighting to put food on
the table, a lot of people end up doing unimaginable
jobs and jobs they wouldn't do if ever because of job
scarcity, hence the title of the shot which translates to
"If only I was working" and here, working a proper job.
5. Ngabe ubaba uyasebenza.
A very personal and heartfelt piece for me because "If
only my father was working" maybe I could have been
a doctor, lawyer or doing any of the praised
professions in the society. However due to the laying
off of staff at his work it meant that out upbringing
together with my siblings was tough as every cent that
was to be made was now saved for things of
paramount importance which itself was never enough
for our faring and affording us some privileges.
Umoya Wami, a series by Thamsanqa Sibanda,
inspired by the song by Lovemore Majaivane which
speaks to the scars left by the deinindustrialization of
Bulawayo. His father was retrenched when the
company he was working for was closed, Thamsanqa
shares his story while documenting a pale shadow of
a former industrial hub.
24

Thamsanqa Sibanda | Ngabe ubaba uyasebenza, Donnington, KoBulawayo, Zimbabwe, 2023
25

see my city:
FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS VOLUME 1 | AUGUST 2023
Fekadu Baye Belay (Ethopia) is a visual storyteller working in
the media industry in Ethopia.
Paul Addo (Ghana) specialises in capturing moments and
telling stories through his lens, focusing on documentary,
landscape, and event photography. His work showcases quiet
moments on busy streets.
Abraham Acquah (Ghana) is a street photographer who
enjoys macro and abstract photography.His work challenges
the gap between the lower class and the upper class
neighbourhoods.
Bantubahle Khotso Mahlangu (South Africa) is
documentary and portrait photographer whose journey has
found him working with BBC Africa, Standard Bank South
Africa, Redbull , and Investec just to name a few. He is also
committed to documenting Jazz in South Africa.
Phopolo Maloka (South Africa) is an architecture and
landscape photographer. He has worked with Mzansi Cribs
Makeover' on DStv Mzansi Magic, YCC and MetGetUp. He
finds a different or interesting way of capturing general
landscape.
Hafsa boraei Mohammed (Sudan) is a photojournalist and
street photographer covering a wide range of human rights
issues affecting in the lives of the people in Sudan. She has
worked with AFP and Save the Children.
Malembo Simbano (Tanzania) is a photographer with over
6 years experience. He has a keen interest in climate justice
and his work explores this while showcasing Africa’s beauty.
Butsya Smith (Uganda) is a street photographer who
capture the beautiful scenes around his city. His work
encourages the viewer to appreciate Kampala as he does.
Derrick Magezi Kagena (Uganda) is a documentary
photographer capturing authentic moments that people can
relate to. He has worked with the Ugandan Ministry of Health,
Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and fisheries as well as
non profits such as Strong Minds.
Maingaila Muvundika (Zambia) is a portrait and
conceptual photographer who has had his work published on
PhotoVogue, i-D magazine, and the magazine cover for
Nkwazi Magazine while having his work commissioned by
Canva. He has also participated in several exhibitions.
Usher Nyambi (Zimbabwe) is inspired by the goal of
connecting people and telling authentic African stories
through his work. He is also a writer contributing to GQ South
Africa, Okay Africa and Mud Journal.
Thamsanqa Sibanda (Zimbabwe) is documentary
photographer telling stories surrounding current affairs,
climate change, social injustices and provocative
humanitarian issues. His work is heavily influenced by
minimalist approach, fine art and traditional reportage work.
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Unpub
lished
Unpublished collaborates with storytellers in order to find
new and creative ways of uncovering and telling the African
story while providing a space for like-minded creatives to
build a community that encourages collaboration, curiosity,
and confidence.
We are a platform committed to creating and facilitating
events and activities that encourage the sustained
advancement of (documentary) photographers and their
invaluable work – while prioritizing the growth of the African
emerging visual storyteller.
follow Unpublished
27

Creative
BUSINESS
Studio
Creative Business Studio is a six week virtual program
created and facilitated by Unpublished.
The program assists African emerging visual storytellers, andr
creatives, ready to professionalize their craft. The program
gives the participants access to workshops and consultations
with industry professionals.
Cohort 1 Testimonials
“The Creative Business Studio cohort was a purpose-driven
learning experience for me. The core discussions were
universal and quite essential.
I learnt how to distill my core values and goals into simple
language that I could communicate to my partners and
customers through the various channels such as branding. I
also gained some insight into sturdy finance practices and a
few tips on how to keep my operations sustainable.
My creative business is positioned to serve other creatives,
and so it was also beneficial to network other passionate
creatives and begin conversations on collaboration. This
program was quite timely, and I appreciate the opportunity
to be a part of it." - David Addo-Gyan (Ghana)
"Being part of the Online residency was very enriching in
multiple ways. It opened my mind up to different aspects of
my work that I was aware of but not actively working to
improve and showed my how I can better in those areas.
It was also great to meet all the other cohort members and
have open dialogue on what issues we were facing and see
how others conduct their businesses because peers are
always a great learning resource especially in such a wide
and talented pool. All in all i’d advise more people to apply
for any future programmes that may arise because they
really help sharpen your skills and focus on growing your
practice." - Maingaila Muvundika (Zambia)
WORK OF UNPUBLISHED AFRICA
28

FROM THE AFRICAN STREETS 1
Contributors of this publication were invited to exhibit their
owrk at the exhibition held at Pikicha Gallery in Harare,
Zimbabwe in collaboration with Pamoyo Gallery and Samora
Central.
Beyond your day to day, do you really see your city?
Our cities and towns are spaces that need to be recognized
for all they carry; the history of those that walked before us
and the potential of all that could come from those that fill
them daily. While each city has its own ebb and flow, from
sunrise to sunset, one thing remains consistent from city to
city and country to country – we need more stories
documented and shared by our visual storytellers.
Photographers have narrative power and the photographs in
this exhibition were more than just snapshots of reality. They
introduced old spaces in new ways while highlighting a
resilience that brings people back to these spaces daily.
WORK OF UNPUBLISHED AFRICA
City Life: Resilience through work from 12 photographers
showcased moments captured in 9 cities. With some being
drawn to the busyness and others being more interested in
the quiet moments of their city, each visual storyteller
contributed their own unique take.
Street photography requires the photographer to be discrete,
quick and observant to capture such moments. The
photographs in this exhibition were not only a testament to
the power of street photography but to the need for more
platforms that share and celebrate the hidden beauty of our
cities as seen through the lens of the African photographer.
29

AUGUST 2023
from
the African
Streets

Collaborating with creators for
the African narrative.
Unpub
lished
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