JODI BIEBER A PUBLIC POSTER CAMPAIGN CONCEPTUALISED BY JODI BIEBER IN COLLABORATION WITH 45 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM JOHANNESBURG POSTER DESIGN BY BRENTON MAART 3 July - 18 August 2019 Oliewenhuis Art Museum #i
focuses on the youth of Johannesburg, aged between 15 to 23; a generation that did not
grow up under apartheid, and who have the ability to access and communicate using technologies that integrate them within a larger global community. By having different historical experiences than those of their parents, they have their own visions and expectations of themselves and of South Africa.
the young people on this project – the words echoed were for fresh new conversations, new ways of being, of living their lives and creating their own stories. This exhibition is a portrait of a generation that will play leading roles in a pivotal moment in South African history. The public poster exhibition of the work allows members of the public to take a poster away with them and creates a future life for the artwork.
I collaborated over a period of three years, starting in 2016, with a wide range of 45 young people from Johannesburg, who come from different cultures, income groups and areas – to produce a portraiture project that expresses young people's visions of themselves and their country. These visions are expressed in the words of the young people, their own photographs from their phones, and the portraits I photographed of each individual. I have taken on this project because I believe that young people can lead our future with new, fresh narratives. For example, the older generation's lived experience is influenced by apartheid and – through extensive interviews with
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO TAKE A POSTER AWAY WITH YOU FREE OF CHARGE THAT BEST RESONATES WITH YOU. HANG IT UP AT HOME, IN YOUR OFFICE, SCHOOL, PUBLIC SPACE. USE IT TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH PARENTS, STUDENTS, GROUPS, ETC. FEEL FREE TO POST IT ON INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK WITH THE HASH TAG #i #JODIBIEBER AND @JODIBIEBER
ZINHLE SITHOLE, AGED 16, SOWETO 'OUR GENERATION HAS POTENTIAL TO BRING CHANGE, THE POWER TO DETERMINE HOW THINGS WILL BE IN THE FUTURE. BY REMOVING OUR OWN LIMITATIONS, THE SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT. WE CAN REACH HIGHER AND DO THINGS THAT WE NEVER THOUGHT OF DOING.' #i AM WORDS
TSHEPANG DUMELAKGOSI, AGED 23, NATURENA 'THE FUTURE OF THIS NATION OR THE PLANET IS OURS. THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO PROTECT AT ALL COSTS. WE CAN ONLY BE ABLE TO DO SO THROUGH KNOWLEDGE. THIS IS WHERE READING COMES IN… READ MORE.' #i AM INTRICATE
ROSS SEY, AGED 18, GREENSIDE 'ADULTS AREN'T REALLY AWARE OF THE PRESSURE A LOT OF STUDENTS ARE NOW UNDER…EXPECTATIONS ARE NOW MUCH HIGHER. YOUNG PEOPLE MUST STOP BEING IGNORANT. FOCUS ON THE THINGS THAT INTEREST YOU… READ UP ABOUT THEM. BE INTERESTED… WE ARE THE INTERNET GENERATION AND YET SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE OBLIVIOUS OR IGNORANT TO THINGS WHICH THEY SHOULD NOT BE…..' #i AM INTUITIVE
AMIRA SHARIFF, AGED 17, GREENSIDE 'I THINK IT IS VITAL FOR US AS SOUTH AFRICANS TO BE PROUD OF OUR COUNTRY AND WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER INSTEAD OF WHAT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO OFFER BECAUSE I THINK THAT A LOT OF S.A. TALENT TENDS TO GO ELSEWHERE. E.G. OVERSEAS AND FLOURISHES IN OTHER PLACES INSTEAD OF ITS ORIGINATED PLACE. I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM WITHIN THE ARTS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITY TO GROW THE COUNTRY. I BELIEVE IT IS ONE OF THE WAYS WE WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.' #i AM A LEADER
JORDAN SMAIL, AGED 17, GLENVISTA 'I BELIEVE FOR A COUNTRY TO BE RUN PROPERLY YOU NEED A GOOD PRESIDENT AND A GOOD GOVERNMENT.' #i AM CHILLED MATHEKO KGOMOTSO PALESA, AGED 19, SOWETO 'I WOULD LIKE A NEW POLITICAL PARTY THAT FOCUSES MORE ON YOUNG PEOPLE. ON EMPOWERING US. NOT WITH HANDOUTS BUT BY EMPOWERING US WITH SKILLS.' #i AM BEAUTIFUL
AZRA KARIM, AGED 21, HOUGHTON 'BEING AT WITS AND BEING EXPOSED TO THE REAL LIFE STRUGGLES OF STUDENTS, YOU SEE FIRST HAND HOW EXCLUSIONARY THE SYSTEM IS. I THINK IT IS ALSO A REALITY CHECK WHEN YOU SEE YOUR FELLOW COMRADES SLEEPING IN LIBRARIES, NOT BEING ABLE TO EAT FOR THAT DAY AND HAVING A CONSTANT WORRY OF PAYING FEES. EDUCATION IS THE TOOL THAT WILL FIX MANY OF THE PAST INJUSTICES. IT WILL ALLOW FOR THOSE PREVIOUSLY DISADVANTAGED TO REACH NEW LEVELS IN THEIR LIVES AND BREAK THEIR CYCLE OF POVERTY AT HOME.' #i AM SPICY
BIGBOY NDLOVU, AGED 18, HILLBROW 'I READ THIS QUOTE THE OTHER DAY 'IF YOU WANT TO HIDE SOMETHING AWAY FROM A BLACK PERSON HIDE IT IN A BOOK.’ AFTER SEEING THAT QUOTE I TOLD MYSELF I WONT BE PART OF THOSE PEOPLE SO I WILL MAKE A BOOK MY FRIEND!' #i AM DETERMINED
BABALWA NONDABULA, AGED 17, TURFONTEIN 'I WOULD CHANGE THE WAY YOUNG GIRLS FEEL ABOUT THEMSELVES. A LOT OF YOUNG GIRLS HAVE VERY LOW SELF ESTEEM. SOME OF THEM ARE DEPRESSED AND SOME ARE NOT ENJOYING THEIR LIVES BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES AND CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY. I THINK IT IS HOW THEY WERE RAISED. ESPECIALLY A LOT OF YOUNG BLACK GIRLS THEY ARE RAISED DIFFERENTLY FROM WHITE GIRLS. A LOT OF BLACK PARENTS DON'T SPEAK TO THEIR CHILDREN. THEY DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP. SO IT IS HARD TO SHARE THINGS WITH OUR PARENTS.' #i AM ADORABLE
MBALI DONNA KHUMALO, AGED 23, KYALAMI ESTATE 'I REFERENCE APARTHEID SO MUCH THAT IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NOSTALGIA ABOUT A TIME I NEVER EXPERIENCED BUT I FEEL LIKE THE LUCKIEST TO BE YOUNG, TO BE A WOMEN AND TO BE BLACK RIGHT NOW. THERE IS SO MUCH MORE I CAN DO WITH IT.' #i AM CURIOUS
JERRY CHISALA, AGE 21, HILLBROW 'I THINK THERE IS NO LOVE IN SOUTH AFRICA. THERE IS NO UNITY. WE NEED LOVE, PEACE AND UNITY. WE ARE ALL AFRICANS, WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS. WE ARE ALL FROM GOD SO THERE IS NOT THIS AND THAT AND WHO IS WHO, WE ARE ALL THE SAME. DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU DRIVE A MILLION RAND CAR TO GOD WE ARE ALL THE SAME.' #i AM HAPPY
LEBOHANG RACHEL MATIMA, AGED 20, SOWETO 'MY PRACTICALS FOR NURSING IN THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR HOSPITALS LEAD ME TO CONCERN. THE SERVICES ARE POOR. PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LOVED ONES LIKE FLIES WHILE THE STATE IS PAYING THE MONEY. I WOULD THEREFORE ASK TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH SECTOR.' #i AM SWEET
KATIA SARRIS, AGED 20, DOWERGLEN 'I WOULD CHANGE THE STIGMATISATION OF THE DIFFERENT RACES BECAUSE I FEEL THAT NOT ALL BLACK PEOPLE HATE WHITE PEOPLE AND NOT ALL WHITE PEOPLE HATE BLACK PEOPLE. I THINK BOTH BLACK AND WHITE PEOPLE FIND IT DIFFICULT TO LOOK PAST RACE. WE ARE ALL THE SAME ON THE INSIDE AND WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO WORK TOGETHER AND COME TOGETHER IN ORDER TO BETTER OUR COUNTRY THAT WE ALL LOVE SO MUCH. BECAUSE I REALLY DO THINK RACISM IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE IN OUR COUNTRY.' #i AM FABULOUS
LINAE BARON, AGED 16, JEPPETOWN 'I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT BEING WHO YOU ARE OR BEING HEARD IN THIS DAY AND AGE. AS A COLOURED PERSON WE TEND TO BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY BY SOCIETY. COLOURED STEREOTYPES SEEM TO BE ALLOWED TO BE PUSHED MORE - FOR EXAMPLE WE ARE SHOWN WITH BUSHY HAIR HOWEVER THERE IS MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF HAIR. I GUESS THAT THE COLOURED COMMUNITY THINKS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A VOICE.' #i AM IMAGINATIVE
RAVI BOAZ MASTER, AGED 15, ORCHARDS 'OUR SCHOOL HAS QUITE A LARGE GENDER GAP SUCH AS BOYS CAN’T HAVE LONG HAIR. GIRLS CAN’T WEAR PANTS AND BOYS CAN’T HAVE EAR PIERCINGS AND NOSE PIERCINGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THE BOARD OF OUR SCHOOL HAS COME TO A DECISION THAT WE MUST STOP OUR GENDER EQUALITY CAMPAIGN AND CUT OUR HAIR. WHICH MEANS WHEN THE SCHOOL TELLS US TO CUT OUR HAIR IT IS A PERMANENT CHANGE TO OUR IDENTITIES. WE FEEL THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO US ESPECIALLY IN A SMALL SCHOOL THAT WE ARE ABLE TO EXPRESS OUR INDIVIDUAL LIVES AS FULL AS POSSIBLE. OUR HAIR PLAYS A LARGE ROLE IN OUR OWN IDENTITIES. IT MAY SOUND CHILDISH BUT I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND I AM PROUD OF MY HAIR AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND TOLERATED BY THE SCHOOL. IT WAS DECIDED THAT FROM A CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL POINT OF VIEW OUR CAMPAIGN WAS INVALID AND UNACCEPTABLE... NOW WE HAVE TO CUT OUR HAIR.' #i AM INTERESTING
JORDY NSALA, AGED 15, BEREA 'I WOULD CHANGE THE INNER CITIES AND MAKE THEM SUBURBS BECAUSE WE AS PEOPLE LIVING IN THE INNER CITY ALSO HAVE ASPIRATIONS OF LIVING IN THE SUBURBS. IF WE CAN TRANSFORM THE INNER CITIES INTO BEAUTIFUL SUBURBS EVERYBODY WILL BE HAPPY. WE COULD CHANGE THE INNER SETTING AND ENVIRONMENT BY GROWING TREES, MORE RECYCLING AS THERE IS SO MUCH RUBBISH AROUND THE STREETS.' #i AM CHARISMATIC
GRACE NSALA, AGED 16, BEREA 'YOUNG PEOPLE TRY FOLLOW THE CROWD INSTEAD OF LISTENING TO THEMSELVES. LISTEN TO THE VOICE INSIDE YOU AND DON'T FOLLOW FRIENDS JUST TO PLEASE AND LOOK COOL FOR THEM. DON'T LET FAME AND MONEY BE YOUR ONLY DRIVING FORCE.' #i AM GENEROSITY
ZAMA KHUMALO, AGED 15, JOUBERT PARK 'STOP XENOPHOBIA AS WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA. WE MUST LISTEN TO EACH OTHER AND WE MUST RECOGNISE THE INJUSTICE OF OUR PAST AND HONOUR THOSE WHO SUFFERED FOR JUSTICE AND BELIEVE THAT SOUTH AFRICA BELONGS TO ALL THAT LIVE IN IT. STOP CRIME…PEOPLE MUST LEARN TO WORK BY THEMSELVES NOT TO DEPEND ON STEALING OTHER PEOPLE'S THINGS BECAUSE I AM A CHILD AND IT IS PAINFUL TO SEE AN OLD PERSON GETTING BEATEN BY MANY PEOPLE OR GO TO JAIL. STOP RAPING…IT IS NOT GOOD BECAUSE IT’S CONFUSING THE CHILDS BRAIN. FOR EXAMPLE THE CHILD WON'T CONCENTRATE AT SCHOOL THINKING ABOUT THAT DAY. THE CHILD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FINISH SCHOOL BECAUSE SHE INSIDE IS HURT. WATER IS LIFE, RESPECT IT, CONSERVE AND ENJOY IT. STOP TAKING DRUGS, STOP GOING FOR SUGAR DADDIES FOR MONEY TO STOP TEENAGE PREGNANCY BECAUSE IT IS KILLING US BADLY BECAUSE I KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE BELIEVING IN THE YOUTH TO MAKE A BETTER COUNTRY.' #i AM CONFIDENT
DESMOND MATHEBULA, AGED 22, SOWETO 'CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. A LOT OF ADULTS DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT A TREE WITHOUT ROOTS DOESN'T LAST.' #i AM BLACK
SANELE ZWANE, AGED 16, THOKOZA 'I THINK WE AS SOUTH AFRICANS ARE NOT YET READY TO HAVE FREE EDUCATION BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT STATE OF OUR ECONOMY. I AM A BIT WORRIED AS THE STUDENTS ARE VANDALISING PROPERTY SO THERE MIGHT BE A POSSIBILITY THAT I WON'T EVEN MAKE IT TO VARSITY IF THEY KEEP ON DESTROYING BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY. THERE IS THIS CAMPAIGN ABOUT BRINGING CONDOMS TO SCHOOLS SO THAT THEY CAN MINIMISE THE LEVELS OF TEENAGE PREGNANCY BUT INSTEAD OF BRINGING OUT CONDOMS I THINK THEY SHOULD RATHER GIVE OUT FREE SANITARY TOWELS.' #i AM ENTHUSIASTIC
THATO SELOANE, AGED 18, SOWETO 'WHEN I RECEIVED MY MATRIC I WAS TOLD WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF UNEMPLOYMENT. CREATE MORE JOBS, GIVING PEOPLE SKILLS EVEN THOUGH I BELIEVE IN SELF EMPLOYMENT. I WANT CHANGE FROM THE POVERTY PERSPECTIVE AS PEOPLE ARE REALLY SUFFERING OUT THERE.' #i AM SELF MOTIVATED
GLORY MBOMBO, AGED 20, RANDPARK RIDGE 'GO AFTER YOUR DREAMS; FOLLOW YOUR PASSION AND NOT JUST THE MONEY. BE YOURSELF. BE BOLD.' #i AM AUDACIOUS
GERRIDA MAYA BARRY, AGED 18, PARKVIEW 'I BELIEVE IN WOMENS RIGHTS. I AM QUIET A FEMINIST. FOR ME MAINLY HAIR ON THE BODY UNDERARM HAIR, PUBIC HAIR AND LEG HAIR… USUALLY PEOPLE SAY IT IS GROSS, ESPECIALLY MY AGE GROUP. I THINK IT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. IT IS MORE OF A STATEMENT OR TO PROVE A POINT. I GO THROUGH PHASES SOMETIMES I LET EVERYTHING GO AND THEN SOMETIMES I AM A NAKED MALL RAT. TRYING TO INFLUENCE OTHERS TO BE A BIT MORE ACCEPTING OF OTHERS.' #i AM LOYAL
YOTHANDO DLAMINI, AGED 20, SOPHIATOWN 'I FEEL LIKE NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN TERMS OF RACE. IN ORDER FOR US TO MOVE AWAY FROM RACISM WE NEED TO UNITE. I WOULD LIKE ADULTS NOT TO JUDGE ACCORDING TO THEIR PAST AND TO BRING THAT PAST INTO MODERN SOCIETY. FOR ME A HIPPIE MEANS BEING FREE AND NOT CARING WHAT PEOPLE THINK. I AM INFLUENCED BY MY MOM. SHE IS FREE SPIRITED.' #i AM CREATIVE
SIYABONGA NKOSI, AGED 15, KLIPPPORTJIE PARK, GERMISTON 'I WOULD TEACH ADULTS THAT YOUR CHILD CAN BE ANYTHING THEY WANT TO BE AND THAT IT IS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY BUT THE PASSION. I SEE MYSELF LIVING THE DREAM. I SEE MYSELF HAVING A FAMILY, LIVING IN A BIG HOUSE, BEING SUCCESSFUL, PURSUING MY PURPOSE… BEING WELL RECOGNISED GLOBALLY… DOING MY PASSION IN HOLLYWOOD AND HAVING TONS OF OSCARS.' #i AM CRAZY
LUCKY NTANTISO, AGED 21, FREEDOM PARK 'I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT FAMILY. THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE OF THE FAMILY. I AM VERY CLOSE TO BOTH MY MOM AND DAD AND EXTENDED RELATIVES. I WANT TO BREAK DOWN THE WALLS OF DIVISION AMONGS SOUTH AFRICANS. SO WE CAN ALL COME TOGETHER AND APPRECIATE ONE ANOTHER. I WANT TO HAVE MY OWN MEDIA FIRM AND THEN GIVE PEOPLE FROM THE RURAL AREAS A CHANCE OF SURVIVAL.' #i AM UNPREDICTABLE
AMY HARRISON, AGED 21, PARKHURST 'WHEN I WAS 14, I STARTED GOING OUT WITH A BLACK GUY AND MY COUSINS FOUND OUT ABOUT IT. THEY ARE CLOSE IN AGE TO ME AND THEY HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO ME SINCE. BEING AN ONLY CHILD, THAT SITUATION STILL HAUNTS ME TODAY. THEREFORE, I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THE INTEGRATION OF RACES AND CULTURES BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE SO MUCH TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.' #i AM A THINKER
TUMELO SHIRAAZ SETLHARE, AGED 16, BOSMONT 'IF YOUNG PEOPLE DO NOT FOCUS ON HOW TO BUILD A FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES THEY ARE GOING TO FIND THEMSELVES STRUGGLING ONE DAY. I SEE PEOPLE IN THE STREET IN MY AREA BOSMONT FOCUSING ON PARTIES, SOCIALISING AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE…VERY FEW PEOPLE FOCUS ON THEIR FUTURES. ' #i AM PROMISING
MPUSETHSENG MOLOI, AGED 21, BUHLE PARK, EAST RAND 'POLITICIANS YOU SHOULD STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN PARLIAMENT AS THE INVESTORS ARE GOING TO RUN AWAY FROM OUR COUNTRY. I WANT UNITY AND JOBS FOR YOUTH BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF UNEMPLOYMENT THAT ENDS UP CAUSING POVERTY AND HIGH CRIME. I THINK THE UNEMPLOYMENT HAS HIT ME DEEP BECAUSE WE START AT SCHOOL AND WHEN WE FINISH SCHOOL THERE ARE NO OTHER OPPORTUNITIES OR OPTIONS FOR US.' #i AM HUMBLED
TEANE MYLES MASEKO, AGED 17, OBSERVATORY 'I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT FEMALE EQUALITY. DUE TO THE FACT THAT GROWING UP I WAS PREDOMINATELY RAISED BY MOM AND OUR HELP, MARGARET AND BECAUSE OF THAT I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY WOMEN AND GET ALONG WITH THEM MUCH BETTER. BECAUSE I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH WOMEN I SEE HOW THEY HAVE BEEN PUT DOWN DUE TO THEIR SEX AND AS WELL AS HAVING FEMALE FRIENDS MAKES ME MORE AWARE WHAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH ON A DAILY BASIS THAT MEN ARE TOO NAIVE TO SEE AND NEGLECT.' #i AM MEDITATIVE
TSHIAMO-AALIYAH SETLHARE, AGED 18, BOSMONT 'ADULTS SHOULD BECOME MORE OPEN MINDED GIVEN OUR HISTORY. I FIND THAT OLDER PEOPLE ARE A LOT MORE CONSERVATIVE AND THEY DON'T NEED TO BE. LIKE RACIALLY AND CULTURALLY…PEOPLE SEEM TO KEEP TO PEOPLE WHO ARE SIMILAR TO THEM AND THAT MAKES THEM STAY NARROW MINDED. I THINK MOST OF THE TIME YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT HOWEVER THE PEOPLE THAT RAISE THEM ARE THE ONES THAT TEACH THEM THEIR VALUES.' #i AM UNUSUAL
MIYA BENE FRANCIS, AGED 17, KENSINGTON 'I WOULD LIKE SOUTH AFRICA TO HAVE A PROPER EDUCATION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN STARTING SCHOOL…TO FORM A GOOD LEARNING FOUNDATION SO WHEN THEY GET OLDER THEY ARE ABLE TO USE THEIR MINDS A LITTLE BIT BETTER AND THEY CAN THINK MORE CRITICALLY AND MORE IN-DEPTH ABOUT A SITUATION.' #i AM FUN
RATANG MASHILO, AGED 19, HOUGHTON 'I FEEL POLITICALLY WE NEED REALLY GOOD LEADERS. LEADERS WHO ARE HONEST AND HAVE A GREAT SENSE OF INTEGRITY. OUR COUNTRY IS MOTIVATED BY ONE PARTY TRYING TO BEAT THE OTHER PARTY. I FEEL WE HAVE LOST THE FOCUS BEING ON EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES AND BETTERING THE SOCIETY. MANY PARTIES ARE JUST FIGHTING AND NO ONE IS REALLY SAYING WHY ARE WE DOING THIS. WHAT IS THE MAIN REASON? I STUDY FINANCE AND I WOULD LIKE TO HANDLE THE COUNTRY’S FINANCES BETTER. MAKING SURE THAT TAX IS REDISTRIBUTED EQUALLY.' #i AM UNIQUE
ZOE VAN ROOYEN, AGED 21, ELDORADO PARK 'IN ELDORADO PARK I FEEL LIKE THE YOUTH ARE VERY CONFUSED. I SAY THIS BECAUSE GANGSTERISM AND DRUGS IS STILL A REAL THING. THEY THINK IS COOL AND THAT'S WHAT THEY ASPIRE TO BE. THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ROLE MODELS. AND SO THE GOAL IS NEVER TO FINISH SCHOOL AND IF THEY DO FINISH SCHOOL THEY OKAY WITH WORKING IN CALL CENTRES. MAYBE THEY DO HAVE BIG DREAMS BUT MAYBE FEEL IT IS OUT OF REACH. IT IS A CYCLE BECAUSE UNEMPLOYMENT IN ELDOS IS A REALITY. IT IS ALL THESE KIDS SEE. IT IS ALL THEY KNOW. THEY NOT VERY DRIVEN. I WOULD TELL ALL THE YOUTH TO KEEP PUSHING. KEEP TRYING NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT THINGS CAN BE SOMETIMES. JUST BECAUSE YOUR OLDER COUSINS AND UNCLES ARE DOING THE WRONG THING, DOESN'T MEAN THAT IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO. IT IS OKAY TO BE DIFFERENT.' #i AM DIFFERENT
ATHI MUSOKE, AGED 21, WITS UNIVERSITY RESIDENCY 'I WOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO BE HOMELESS. IF ANYONE IS HOMELESS THE GOVERNMENT, THE PEOPLE OR THE IMMEDIATE COMMUNITY WILL MAKE SURE THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL CAN MEET THEIR BARE MINIMUM NEEDS. I FEEL THAT ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE WRONG IN OUR SOCIETY LIKE CRIME, RAPE AND CORRUPTION ARE JUST MANIFESTATIONS OF A DEEPER PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE WHAT THEY WANT SO THEY ARE USING FORCEFUL MEANS TO ACQUIRE WHAT THEY NEED.' #i AM SPONTANEOUS
JOE TURPIN, AGED 20, GREENSIDE 'I WOULD CHANGE THE SPACIAL VIOLENCE AND STRUCTURALIST WAY OF THINKING IN SOUTH AFRICA. JOHANNESBURG IS A CITY OF FRONTIERS AND THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE WHITE FLIGHT AT THE END OF APARTHEID SO IT IS NOT A CITY YOU CAN WALK FREELY AROUND JUST ANYWHERE. THAT CAN CHANGE WITH PERCEPTIONS AND NEW IDEAS. THERE IS A SENSE THAT THE WAY PEOPLE ARE SPLIT UP IS NORMAL AND THAT CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE ON TOP OR THE BOTTOM OF SOCIETY, SIMPLY BASED ON THEIR DEMOGRAPHIC. BUT THAT WAY OF THINKING IS A STRUCTURE THAT NEEDS TO BE SUBVERTED. JOHANNESBURG, AND SOME PEOPLE'S WAY OF THINKING, IS NOT INTEGRATED AND GENERALLY PEOPLE SEE IT AS THE NORM. GO IN YOUR CAR AND DO ROAD RAGE FOR HALF AN HOUR. OR COMPLAIN THAT BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU WERE BORN CERTAIN THINGS ARE KEPT FROM YOU. IRONICALLY BOTH ENDS OF THE SPECTRUM THINK LIKE THAT DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION THERE IS THIS LINE THAT I HAVE IGNORED AND THAT GIVES ME A LOT OF FRIENDS. THAT IS WERE THE MUSIC AND ART SCENE IS…BUT EVEN WITHIN THOSE CIRCLES YOU FIND IT. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IT'S ABOUT TOLERANCE AND NOT ASSUMING I SUPPOSE.' #i AM AN ARTIST
TRACEY ADAMS, AGED 17, MALVERN 'I THINK THE POLITICIANS OF TODAY ARE KIND OF CHILDISH ACTUALLY. BECAUSE THEY DON'T LOOK OUT FOR THE COUNTRY. THEY ARE TRYING TO BETTER THEMSELVES OVER THE OTHER PARTY. THEY WON’T SAY THEY WILL DO THIS FOR THE COUNTRY THEY WILL SAY THAT THE OTHER PARTY IS DOING IT WRONG. IF YOU STOPPED ARGUING ALL THE TIME YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO FOR THE COUNTRY. IF WE RESPECTED EACH OTHER THEN WE WOULDN'T DO THINGS TO HURT EACH OTHER.' #i AM LOVE BOPHELO TLADINYANE, AGED 20, MORNINGSIDE 'I FEEL STRONG ABOUT THE FACT THAT I GET TO LIVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. I AM TREATED DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE I AM BLACK AND I LIVE IN A WHITE ENVIRONMENT. MY ORIGINAL FAMILY COMES FROM A VILLAGE. OUTSIDERS HAVE ISSUES WITH THIS. SOMEONE ASKED ME LAST YEAR: “WHY DO YOU LIVE WITH WHITE PEOPLE?” I AM POSITIVE ABOUT MY IDENTITY. THE FACT THAT I AM DIFFERENT AND I LOVE BEING WEIRD. THIS MAKES ME FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT PEOPLES CONFUSION AROUND RACE AND IDENTITY. WHAT ABOUT THE 21ST CENTURY FAMILY?' #i AM CONTRADICTION LERATO NDLOVU, AGED 16, SOWETO 'OUR PARENTS HAD TO ENDURED THE STRUGGLE OF THE APARTHEID ERA .THEIR MINDS ARE STILL AFFECTED AND THIS RESULTS IN THEM NOT BEING ABLE TO ACHIEVE WHAT THEY WANT TO ACHIEVE. BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEY WERE NEVER SET FREE EMOTIONALLY. WHEREVER I GO I EMPHASIS THE EMOTIONAL REDEMPTION DUE TO THE HEARTACHE THAT I HAVE TO WITNESS IN THE TOWNSHIPS…WALKING PAST I SEE THE HEROES OF YESTERDAY WITH A BOTTLE OF BEER IN THEIR HANDS AND NO CAR KEYS, NOT KEYS IN THEIR OWN HOME. PERSONALLY THAT BRINGS SO MUCH PAIN BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST GIVEN POLITICAL FREEDOM AND NOT EMOTIONAL FREEDOM AND WITHOUT EMOTIONAL FREEDOM YOU CANNOT POSSESS ECONOMICAL FREEDOM.' #i AM WORD
JESSICA ANNE SMERKOWITZ, AGED 16, PARKWOOD 'I WANT SOUTH AFRICA TO FIND UNITY AND PEACE AND FOR THERE TO BE NO MORE CONFLICT, RACISM AND POVERTY WITH A PRESIDENT WHO CAN LEAD US TO GREATNESS.' #i AM DIFFERENT
JABULILE PORTIA KUBHEKA, AGED 20, SOWETO 'I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE. YOU CANNOT BE WELL DEVELOPED IF YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR ROOTS… SO FOR PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO SHINE LIKE THEIR COUNTRY FLAG THEY HAVE TO BUILD THEIR INNER SELF BEFORE THEY CAN IMPACT ON SOUTH AFRICA. EVERYONE WANTS TO SEE S.A. SUCCESSFUL BUT THEY FORGET THAT SUCCESS STARTS WITHIN YOU FIRST SO IT MOVES FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION. WE, THE YOUTH ARE TOO DEPENDENT ON THE GOVERNMENT… THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT OUR PARENT… WE EXPECT OPPORTUNITIES TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR ALWAYS. THERE ARE BURSARIES TO GO TO SCHOOL. THERE ARE COMPANIES WHO WILL PAY FOR BURSARIES TO GO TO SCHOOL… THERE ARE WEEKEND JOBS… BUT STILL WE ARE HERE ROAMING IN THE STREET…' #i AM PERFECT
NQOBILE MTHEMBU, AGED 15, SOWETO 'I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT MY IDENTITY. I AM ZULU AND A YOUNG GIRL FROM THE HOOD WHO WANTS TO CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE LIVE. IT IS VERY CORRUPT, THE YOUTH IS GETTING OUT OF HAND AND THERE IS A VERY BIG PERCENTAGE OF RAPE. MEN DON'T HAVE RESPECT FOR CHILDREN AND WHEN MEN LOOK AT US THEY JUST SEE US AS BIG WOMEN. ADULTS SHOULD RESPECT EACH OTHER AND RESPECT THEIR CHILDREN TOO. THEY ABUSE EACH OTHER IN FRONT OF THEIR CHILDREN. I SEE MYSELF AS A MILLIONAIRE, LIVING IN BASSONIA, DRIVING THE BIGGEST CAR. EDUCATED WITH SUPPORT AND LOVE FROM MY PARENTS WHO WILL HELP TO GET ME THERE.' #i AM EXTRAORDINARY
THATO EDNA MAUNATLALA, AGED 18, SAVANNA CITY 'YOUNG PEOPLE DROP OUT OF SCHOOL AT A YOUNG AGE BELIEVING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY FOR EVERYTHING. STAYING WITH THEIR GRANDMOTHERS THE PENSION MONEY IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SUSTAIN ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE HOUSE AND SO POVERTY CONTINUES. YOUTH GOING AROUND NOT USING PROTECTION, HAVING KIDS. THAT IS ONE WAY WE CAN CHANGE THE POVERTY FROM NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE' #i AM BRAVE
CALLUM SEY, AGED 19, GREENSIDE ‘AS A STUDENT IN THE CURRENT SITUATION ONE HAS TO BE WELL-INFORMED AND TAKE PART IN ATTEMPTING TO BRING BALANCE TO SOUTH AFRICA'S POLITICAL SITUATION. I BELIEVE AN EGALITARIAN ATTITUDE IS THE BEST WAY TO MOVE SOUTH AFRICA FORWARD BECAUSE AT THE MOMENT IT IS VERY MUCH AN US VERSUS THEM BATTLE’ #i AM THINKER
Oliewenhuis Art Museum 16 Harry Smith Street Bloemfontein T +27 (0) 51 011 0525 (ext 200)
MICHAEL EDWARDS, AGED 20, KENGSINGTON 'REGARDLESS OF WHO IS IN POWER I WANT STABILITY. UNDERLING ISSUES AND A BACKLOAD OF THINGS COULD RESURFACE .THE DROUGHT MIGHT EXACERBATE XENOPHOBIA AND EXISTING POVERTY. I WOULD FOCUS ON CHANGING MISMANAGEMENT WITHIN GOVERNMENT. NOT JUST CORRUPTION BUT A DEGREE OF INCOMPETENCE OF CARRYING OUT PROJECTS IN THE LONG RUN.' #i AM PLEASANT
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