Obakeng Molepe (Portraiture and Fashion Photographer

COVER FEATURE Thandiwe Gula-Ndebele Multidisciplinary Storyteller 20

OBAKENG OBAKENG MOLEP E MOLEP E

Born and raised in Kagiso, West of Johannesburg, Obakeng Molepe is mostly known for his portraiture, fashion photography and unique approach to documentary work. His work aims to challenge people ’ s predispositions and the many constructs that exist around us — whether it’ s religion, love, time or masculinity, his aim is to tell the other side of the story.

What is your work regime? To be honest I don ’t have a regime, I work intuitively. I know I will need one at some point for a more consistent work flow. However, at this point in my life I’ ve discovered the beauty in the absence of it, as it has allowed for me to be authentic and not get caught up in the clout. What, in your opinion, is the most important quality of a photographer? Confidence… I think photography is merely a skill that anyone passionate enough can learn, but believing in the stories you trying to tell and the direction you want to take is sometimes scary. So you have to be fully convinced in yourself, even if you have to start alone. Tell us more about your collaboration with Phendu Kuta for one of SA' s longest subculture, pantsula? Where did the idea come from for this compelling story? And why was it so important for you to collaborate with him? During my early days in photography, Phendu and I used to collaborate all the time and this is just one of those timeless pieces we managed to create. I think I did it because I thought Phendu was(still is) a beautiful human being to work with. She was trying to tell the kind of story I wanted to tell too, so it only made sense to merge heads and the rest is literally history. What was the most important lesson you had to learn that has had a positive effect on your photograph? Authenticity, being true to myself… “the hardest thing to do is to be true to yourself, especially when everybody is watching. ” Dave Chapelle You ' re represented by two agencies, how do you juggle that up especially if you have projects that need to be done in time? I am still young, so it’ s not as heavy as it sounds. I’ ve always thought of myself as someone who thrives in a good team and I was right, I am blessed to have Caroline(Red Hot Ops) and Neil(Hero) behind me. Also personal projects need financing so working in commercials allows me to fund those projects.

Tell me more about your creative

You shot Ntate Sipho "Hotstix

" Mabuse for GQ, how was it working with the maestro himself? Were you scared? I was nervous as hell, I think it’ s one thing to grow up in an environment where his music would play in every house hold, it’ s another thing to be shooting the man in his home. I honestly don ’t have the words to describe my experience, all I can do is thank him for being kind enough to let us into his home, for being patient with me when I couldn ’t figure out the shot and as a musician for giving our people music that allowed us to rejoice regardless of the circumstances we were in pre-1994, Thank you! process I don ’t have control over my process, it’ s innate and I plan to keep it this way til the end of my 20’ s atleast. I feel like I am at the age where I am still learning a lot about myself, what kind of artist I want to be known as and what I have to offer to this world, but above be an artist, what kind of human being I want to be and so till I figure all this out, it will remain intuitive. What advice would you give to those hoping to pursue a career in photography? Be yourself, Stay you. Your ‘ strange ’ perspective is a power that will one day open doors to bigger things.