It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words – but for one South African, it’s worth thousands of rands along with awards to accompany its success.
Tshepiso Mazibuko has recently won big after being awarded for her outstanding work at the Rencontres d’Arles summer photography festival in France.
The event is held annually to celebrate some of the world’s best and most outstanding photographers from all over the world for the work they do.
This year marked the 51st anniversary of the festival after it was founded in 1970 by the Arles photographer Lucien Clergue.
On the night Tshepiso ensured that she left with more than she came by bagging herself two awards and as well as a cash prize of more than R90 000.
According to the news and entertainment publication, Citizen, the awards were for 2024 Discovery Award Louis Roederer Foundation’s Public Award, and the prestigious Madame Figaro Photo Award for her exhibition Ho tshepa ntshepedi ya bontshepe (To Believe in Something That Will Never Happen).
It is reported that through the lens of her camera, Tshepiso’s work is centred around the impact of the political designation ‘born-free’ on South Africa’s post-1994 black youth generation.
Touching on what it meant for her to win the award, she told the above-mentioned publication:
“It’s a huge honour to be recognised by the Arles Photography Festival with these awards. Having the chance to share my work at the festival alone has been richly rewarding.”
It is said that Tshepiso is a proud product of the Of Soul and Joy Project, who are known for producing well-known photographers over the years.
Sharing her joy, the project manager and mentor of the above-mentioned organisation Jabulani Dhlamini shared how proud they were of her.
“Tshepiso receiving these accolades is a testament to the critical value of her project, which crosses cultures and resonates with diverse audiences. For us at Of Soul and Joy, this is the ultimate realisation of the work we aim to achieve with our students.”
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