Of Soul and Joy, a transformative photography project based in Thokoza, celebrates Youth Month with a powerful JSE Art Share exhibition, showcasing the creative talents of young artists and proving how mentorship and opportunity can light the way to global recognition.
Johannesburg, South Africa (27 June 2025) – Of Soul and Joy (OSJ), a pioneering South African photography initiative that has empowered disadvantaged communities in Thokoza for over a decade, is hosting an exhibition showcasing its youngest talents as part of a Youth Month celebration.
In celebration of Youth Month, JSE Art Share has collaborated with the Thokoza-based photography initiative, Of Soul and Joy, to showcase Children of the Light, an exhibition celebrating the success of these organisations in empowering young artists to develop their skills and gain exposure.
Imagine being a student of photography, you are just finding your style, testing your creative eye, and your piece gets put on display at the JSE. That accomplishment is huge! It’s heartwarming! It is my favourite part of sharing stories like this. Having met many of the photographers who today travel the world thanks to being part of OSJ, I know this is only the beginning of many of these students’ bright futures.
South African photographer Lindokhule Sobekwa, introduced to photography via the Of Soul and Joy project, is today a member of the Magnum Photos agency and South African photographer Tshepiso Mazibuko is a finalist for the 2024 Discovery Award, Louis Roeder Foundation at the Rencontres d’Arles. These are just two examples of how students transformed into professional artists.
The initiative aims to inspire the next generation of photographers, giving young people the opportunity to explore their neighbourhoods and share their take on life in creative and new ways. Through weekly workshops, which provide photography tools and offer professionals sharing their skills, youth have the chance to learn from the best.
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You can attend this exhibition, which would absolutely thrill the students. Featuring work by student and alumni photographers from the Of Soul & Joy photography mentorship programme in Thokoza, the exhibition showcases the bold, intimate, and deeply human perspectives of young South Africans.
Check out the details below:
Date: Saturday, 28 June 2025
Time: 11:00 am
Address: Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE Limited) – One Exchange, 2 Gwen Ln, Sandown, Sandton
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