SATURDAY MORNING of Heritage Day saw the unveiling of the momentous photographic exhibition titled, Orlando@90 – in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Soweto neighbourhood of Orlando East – at Orlando High School.
A collaboration between the City of Johannesburg’s Directorate of Arts, Culture & Heritage, the WITS History Workshop, University of the Witwatersrand Historical Papers Research Archive, South African History Archive, National Archives of South Africa, Museum Africa Archives, the James Mpanza Legacy Foundation Trust, the Orlando Pirates FC Supporters Branch (MOB), Sticky Situations and Pimville-based freelance photojournalist and writer, M Jacob Mawela – the event drew a crowd of 110 young and adult attendees to Soweto’s very first high school fondly nicknamed, “The Rock.”
A visual narration of the genesis of the township (the very first designated as such through municipal decree) the presentation comprises of documents – inter alia, aerial and interactive satellite maps, house-plans, title deeds, reference books (‘dompas’) correspondences between pioneering civic leader, James Mpanza, and Professor Z K Matthews as well as other authorities) and mostly monochromatic images spanning a timeline from the early 20th century to post-1994 South Africa.
The tapestry of imagery on display depict Mpanza’s campaign for settlements for urban Africans; the construction of the 2-3 roomed redbrick houses with their zinc roofing; the formation of the location’s pride, namely, Orlando Pirates FC; celebrated residents such a songstress, Letta Mbulu, Jomo Sono, and numerous others.
Photojournalist, M Jacob Mawela’s contribution – in the form of A2-size black-&-white images – cover the period from 1994 to the Noughties and include photographs of the 2002-2003 PSL season ‘Buccaneers’ side captained by Old-John Mabizela during a campaign when the outfit had the distinction of spotting three numbers on its playing kit, as well as erstwhile “The Rock” headmaster, Professor Wilkie Kambule.
Mawela, who co-curated the show, also took viewers on a walkabout of the 60 plus panels.
The brainchild of Orlando Heritage Trust director, Tshenolo Mokhele, the occasion’s opening had local resident, June 16, 1976 Students Uprising leader, Seth Mazibuko, along with keynote speaker and project initiator, WITS academic, Professor Noor Nieftagodien, delivering insightful addresses.
All images Jacob MAWELA ( Co-curator J. Mawela recorded expounding on an image featuring Panzi Macaza, the now caretaker of the Orlando Communal Hall, during the opening of the Orlando @90 exhibition).
