TWO DAYS IN A TOWNSHIP

An Unexpected Journey into Concordia, South Africa

Photography and words by Wayne Crichlow

Knysna, South Africa | 2018

In 2018, shortly after becoming a finalist on Sky Arts' Master of Photography, I travelled to South Africa with my family for my niece's wedding. We extended our stay with a journey along the Garden Route, from Cape Town to Knysna.

I hadn't travelled to South Africa to photograph a township.

But from the balcony of our guest house in Knysna, I could see a settlement stretching across the hillside. I found myself wondering about the people who lived there, their everyday lives and the stories behind the landscape.

It was there that I met Bongani, the young man managing our guest house.

When I asked whether it would be possible to visit the settlement, his response was simple.

“I live there. I can take you there.”

From our first meeting, Bongani and I seemed to connect. There was an instinctive sense of trust between us. I trusted him enough to hand over the keys to my hire car, and he trusted me enough to welcome me into his community, introducing me to his family, friends and neighbours.

What began as a chance encounter became a friendship that has endured ever since.

Over the following two days, I found myself drawing on the skills and experiences I had gained through Master of Photography, but this time there was no brief, no judging panel and no predetermined outcome.

Just my camera, a single lens and an invitation into a community I would otherwise never have experienced.