Tatenda Chidora "Until We Safe" - Reflections on Zenophobia in SA

Tatenda Chidora, a Zimbabwean photographer based in Johannesburg who began his photography journey in 2010. In 2012, he enrolled at TUT University to formally study the craft. His current exhibition, Until We Safe, is on display at BKhz Gallery until October 3, 2019.

Tatenda uses photography as a medium for visual conversations about the striking beauty of Black skin. He draws inspiration from the people and places he encounters in everyday life, capturing captivating portraits and breathtaking architectural images of Johannesburg's monuments.

The Until We Safe exhibition comes in the wake of xenophobic attacks in central Johannesburg and various townships earlier this month. These attacks, targeted at African immigrants, have sparked widespread concern and reflection.

Commenting on these events, Tatenda explains one of the pieces in his collection, titled Assimilation: "The narrative behind this image is about guidance and the act of allowing oneself to be guided. This image highlights our need for one another. The contrast in colors symbolizes our differences, but there’s a subtle grey line that connects us all, reminding us of our shared humanity. We need to remove the veil that blinds us from seeing each other as human. There is a need for a metamorphosis—from ignorance to an appreciation of the humanity that binds us all.

"As a photographer, my greatest drive in portraiture is to reflect the beauty in my subjects. I love connecting with them and listening to their life stories. My deepest desire is for them to grow in confidence and to love who they are. Whether they are marginalized or 'othered,' they are still wonderfully created."

Xenophobia in South Africa has existed since before 1994, when immigrants from African countries faced discrimination and violence. After the end of apartheid and the dawn of democratic South Africa, xenophobia is believed to have worsened, despite a lack of directly comparable data. The visibility of work from photographers like Tatenda challenges these divides and confronts Afrophobia within South African communities.

Tatenda's current body of work for Until We Safe is a collection of visuals created over several years. "This collection focuses on the male body because, as a photographer, I often photograph male figures. I place myself in my work to present a perspective I can authentically speak to. I believe that as men, we are given physical power, and that power can be used for either good or harm. Until we feel safe with who we are, we cannot be trusted with this power."

Credits: Tatenda Chidora