Zimbabwe

Portraits

Beanie:
Zimbabwean child, having a moment of being just that: a child. In a country torn apart by corruption and mismanagement, moments like these are a rarity, such joy, a privilege.

Onions for Life:
Where there is no bread or mealie meal in the shops, the shelves are all empty. And yet, at the market, a woman approaches, selling beautiful produce.

30 Years of Ice-Cream:
A landmark in Bulawayo, this man has been serving ice-cream at Eskimo Hut since the 1970's, and yet today, there are shortages. "How will the ice-cream be made," he wonders, "if there is no milk?"

Zimbabwean reaction:
Another employee at "Eskie's"... he knows things are bad. But in his frustrating yet admirable Zimbabwean way, he accepts the situation, and waits patiently for a better tomorrow.

Naked Child:
This photograph was taken when this child was asked to imitate the flirtatious face of an actress in a Chinese sitcom which is broadcasted regularly on Zimbabwean TV.

Old Man:
He notices the camera from about a hundred metres away as I shoot pictures of the local children. He makes his way over slowly, fascinated. Asking the children in Ndebele to ask me in English if I wouldn't mind taking his picture.

Zimbabwean Smile:
A little bit of happiness on Christman Day (2007).

Posers:
Outside the city, the children pose for their photograph to be taken. They then approach me in order to see their image - the wonders of digital technology! They scream and shout, and then hurry back in front of me to pose for their next shot.

Demonstration:
Meanwhile... a jovial demonstration outside the Zimbabwean embassy on the Strand in London takes place in protest to Mugabe's iron rule. But what lurks beneath the surface is no joviality, but rather a deep sadness, a longing to return home.

Gwanda Eye Clinic... waiting for cataract surgery