Conceiving visual stories within the Cape Flats is always a close concept to heart. Media coverage regarding what has been happening for a protracted period of time in our Cape Flats region has been nothing but insufficient to say the least. With everything that has been happening in our streets ranging from gang violence, murders and crime to name a few; I felt that now more than ever we should construct awareness for our communities but also exhibit the organic beauty in the blokke. This is my vision of what we as coloured people are and what we could be. This is my way of displaying where we come from is definitely not where we are going.
The concept originated in the midst of all the Cape Flats violence and crime. I chose the title to immediately create a solid message as to what my intentions are and this is to display the flowers which bloom in the concrete and the production of high quality art which is both produced and executed in the Cape Flats. I chose Manenberg as my location as it is seen as the "face" of the Cape Flats by media and those who are not exposed or active in these areas. A lot of attention has been drawn to Manenberg because of gangsterism and crime however the Cape Flats is definitely not just Manenberg but various communities and I intend on creating visual stories in all the surrounding Cape Flats areas. I wanted to create a visual story which emits a positive light to the area and it's people. I created this visual story to represent hope and courage within our affected communities. I see this project as a means of providing the youth with a relatable form of hope and encouragement as the whole team including myself reside in different regions of the Cape Flats. What I hope to achieve through the visual story is impact. And remove the negative stigma towards the Cape Flats and allow people of various cultures, ethnicity and backgrounds to see it for what it truly is; a raw diamond in a forgotten land.
Credits:
Photographer: Ethan Decock Creative Director: Ya'eesh Dollie Styling: Ya'eesh Dollie Assistant Stylists:Tasshreeq Abdullatief and Junaid Mustapha Models: Ya'eesh Dollie and Usamah Ryklief