User:Foto Jock

Xmas in X9

On Christmas Day, 2012, my friend Vuyo took me around Extension 9 in Rini Township on the east side of Makhanda (Grahamstown) in the Eastern Cape. I wanted to photograph people and families doing whatever it was that day. I was graciously received by everyone, churchgoer to partyer. One family were having their Christmas dinner while watching TV, an older couple were preparing for church, for some it was just another ordinary day, a few were spread out on their stoop with bottles half-empty. For me there was a feeling of serenity and family integrity, not only I’m supposing brought on by the Christmas spirit, perhaps enhanced a bit, but otherwise normal. Though legitimately considered ‘poor’ and probably impatient for change, nevertheless enjoying the day and each other. I felt privileged to be allowed to enter their holiday, even for the few minutes it took to shoot half-a-dozen photographs of these lovely people at home in South Africa.