Of Soul and Joy

Day 2 in Paris 🇫🇷✨ The Of Soul and Joy students touched down in Paris for the @lecinemacentansdejeunesse_ccaj l with @cinema_tak3 , but what's a trip to the city of lights without a little adventure? From powerful stories behind the lens, connection with other young film makes from around the globe, to striking poses in front of the Eiffel Tower, this crew is making memories as vibrant as their creativity. Stay tuned as they continue to represent South Africa and showcase their artistry on an international stage. 🌍📸 #OfSoulAndJoy #CinemaTAKE #Paris2025 #YouthVoices #PhotographyForChange #VisualStorytelling #EiffelTowerViews #CulturalExchange #FromKatlehongToParis

HELLO PARIS! The mission @ofsoulandjoy is a movement! We're making a statement for the second year in a row! @lecinemacentansdejeunesse_ccaj is hosting a global cohort of young film makers and we are SO EXCITED to be part of this with @cinema_tak3 🌟 Day 1 of the programme watching films and creative conversations with other students from across the world! 📅 Festival Date: 3-6 June 2025 📍 Location: Paris, Sorbonne Nouyelle #osj #cinemaTAKE #filmmakers #Paris #Thokoza #youthcinema

Au revoir Johannesburg! ✈️ Bonjour Paris ❤️ Of Soul and Joy students, in collaboration with @CinemaTak3, are adding some serious air miles — next stop: Paris! 🇫🇷 for the @lecinemacentansdejeunesse_ccaj festival If you’ve been following our page, you’ll know it’s been an incredible experience creating a short film under the expert mentorship of CinemaTak3 - a collective dedicated to nurturing emerging voices through collaborative, socially-driven cinema. Keep an eye on our page as we follow their journey — from the township to the bigger screens. 🎬✈️🌍

Of Soul and Joy has landed in Casablanca, Morocco, this time at an orphanage called: Orphelinat Sidi Bernoussi, where the heart of the objective of the project beats louder than ever. Over the past few days, the children have been exploring the fundamentals of photography and the power of creative expression. At its core, this project has always championed the idea that creativity is a universal language — and there’s no greater joy than sharing it with young minds eager to learn, imagine, and express their stories in a world that wouldn't otherwise have given them this opportunity. What an honour it’s been to travel here and witness the spark of self-expression come alive. @jabulanipatdhlamini 📷 #OfSoulAndJoy #CasablancaStories #PhotographyForChange #CreativeExpression #YouthEmpowerment #ArtAsActivism #VisualStorytelling #MoroccoMoments #InspirationThroughArt #FutureThroughCreativity #OrphelinatSidiBernoussi #PhotographyWorkshop #YoungVoices #creativitymatters

Shoot Day 2: Lights. Lens. Life. Day two on set with @cinema_tak3 x Of Soul and Joy and the energy is magnetic. From raw expression to striking frames, our young artists are turning vision into visual poetry. This isn’t just a film shoot, it’s a movement. A celebration of voice, perspective, and storytelling from the heart of the community. Stay tuned. The lens is only just beginning to roll... #CinemaTak3 #OfSoulAndJoy #ShootDay2 #VisualVoices #PhotographyMeetsFilm #YouthInFocus #BehindTheLens #StorytellingUnlocked

@cinema_tak3 producing films with the purpose of education and enlightenment BIG things have been happening the past few weeks! Post the hugely successful 2024 film produced and showcased locally and abroad, we’re thrilled that @cinema_tak3 is collaborating with @ofsoulandjoy once again — creativity meets purpose. Together, we’re bringing new stories to life, empowering voices, and capturing the beauty that lives within every frame. Stay tuned. This is just the beginning. #CinemaTak3 #OfSoulAndJoy #Collaboration #CreativityWithPurpose #Storytelling #Photography #Film #ArtForChange

Upcycling en action ! Aboutissement des tuiles en plastique recyclé, conçues par le designer Alexandre Echasseriau et déployer avec l'expertise de l'architecte Quentin Huet. #NdaoHanavao #RubisMécénat #VitogazMadagascar #AlexandreEchasseriau #QuentinHuet #Upcycling #RecyclingPlastic #Sustainability #EmpoweringYouth #SocialDesign #

Nous avons aujourd'hui reçu la visite des étudiants passionnés du parcours construction bois de l'IST/ESSA. Ce fut un plaisir de partager et de présenter les techniques et matériaux développer au lab. #NdaoHanavao #RubisMécénat #VitogazMadagascar #DesignSocial #tuilesrecyclés #laineisolante #ConstructionBois #IST_ESSA #JeunesTalents #Madagascar

@vuyo_mabheka is among three South African artists present at ART Paris 2025 👏 Vuyo's work, "Popihuise" is internationally recognized and awarded. This work uses photographs and drawings to explore township life. This is a culmination of Vuyo's child memories as there are very few photos for him to recollect. Vuyo's creative use of this self photo he has as a young boy, meshed with child-like drawings of modern township is what has received global attention. @afronovagallery welcomes all in #Paris to this exhibition which highlights the complexities of identity and memory within the context of South Africa Times: THURS - SAT 2-5 APRIL 12PM - 8PM SUN 6 APRIL 12 PM - 7PM

Our rural outreach in Nkandla has inspired creativity through photography 📷 We started this journey in #Nkandla, a place of deep historical significance, where we’re fostering #community connections and empowering individuals through visual storytelling. By providing access to this creative medium, we’re helping participants develop new skills and express themselves in ways they never have before. Just like with the students of #OSJ, we aim to spark curiosity, creativity, and a new perspective—one photo at a time! Here are some highlights of day 3 of the programme! A big thank you to our mentors for aiding this journey and bringing different perspective and excitement through learning with this medium 🙏

Bringing Photography to Rural Communities 🎞️ Last week we llaunch an exciting rural outreach programme aimed at introducing #photography to underprivileged communities. Our journey begins in #Nkandla, a site rich in history and culture. By fostering #community engagement and sharing knowledge, this initiative aspires to create an inclusive learning space where individuals from various backgrounds can explore the power of visual storytelling. Just as we’ve done with the resident students of #OSJ, our goal is to open eyes, hearts, and minds—encouraging self-expression through a medium that has yet to be fully embraced in these areas. Here are some snippets of day 2 of the outreach 📷

Rural Outreach Initiative 📢 Today marks the start of our rural outreach initiative, a program designed to provide #photography education to residents in impoverished communities. #Nkandla, a location of significant historical importance, was selected as the project's initial site. Recognizing the importance of #community engagement and knowledge dissemination, this initiative aims to establish a platform that can accommodate participants from diverse geographic locations. We believe this endeavor represents a meaningful contribution to the community, leveraging the universal language of photography to foster creative expression and skill development. Much like with the resident students of #OSJ the aim to to open eyes, hearts and minds to expression through a medium not yet explored here.

WOW! WOW! WOW! Is all we can say for this excellent event! Nothing quite like comming together for an interactive dialogue. We hosted at the Con Hill Women’s Jail as artists commemorate the role of photography in South Africa over the past 30 years, and how the photography practice has evolved since the democratic transition. The panel included 3 of our very own (globally recognized) @vuyo_mabheka , @jabulanipatdhlamini and @intombazane_ethatha_izithombe as well as @tauatswalalesole curator of the running exhibition "I Put My Hand On My Chest To Feel My Heart Beat", visual culturalist Nkululeko Khumalo and photography pioneer Ruth Motau A HUGE thank you to @constitution_hill for venue hosting and our incredible panel who guided the dialogue of 30 years of democracy, through this art medium, an absolute honour! #photography #panel #photographypioneer #Conhill #creativeuprising

Inbetween exhibitions, talks, travel and interviews, there is always time for feedback sessions! 😍 @thandile , @jabulanipatdhlamini & @sibusiso_bheka hosted an intensive workshop this past week for the older students. The younger students have started their work on their film project with the infamous @cinema_tak3 and we CANNOT WAIT to share those details. 2025 has started off THRIVING and the year is only at infancy 🙏 Blessed and Humbled to be working on these projects and series of sessions with our #OSJ students. #photography #throughalens #storytelling #makingtheirmark #learning #thriving As always a huge shout out to @rubismecenat for ensuring possibilities for this project

Ndao Hanavao a eu le plaisir d'accueillir avec les jeunes de Bureau Pour l'Emploi de Graines de Bitume. Ils ont pu découvrir les techniques innovantes développées au lab et échanger avec les apprentis. Ces moments de partage sont essentiels pour construire un avenir meilleur ensemble. #NdaoHanavao #rubismécénat #vitogazmadagascar #GrainesDeBitume #Apprentissage #Échange #Transmission

Panelist Feature 📢 @constitution_hill @tauatswalalesole A multidisciplinary artist, curator, and writer born in Limpopo, South Africa, but based in Johannesburg. He is currently associated with Constitution Hill, where he serves as the coordinator of the #CreativeUprising Hub. Tauatswala's artistic and curatorial practice often explores themes related to identity, culture, and community, reflecting his interest in post-colonial narratives and creative expressions. Tauatswala has been involved in several notable projects, including the curation of the exhibition I Put My Hand On My Chest To Feel My Heartbeat at Constitution Hill. This exhibition celebrates 30 years of democracy in South Africa by showcasing the work of emerging photographers from Thokoza, highlighting personal and collective stories of the community through photography. In addition to his work at Constitution Hill, Tauatswala has participated in the 2021 Latitudes CuratorLab programme, where he curated an online exhibition titled LOCUS/LOCATION. This project reflects his interest in exploring memory and location as central themes in his curatorial practice. Tauatswala's contributions to the art world are marked by his commitment to empowering youth and fostering community development through creative projects. His work emphasizes the importance of storytelling and visual narratives in shaping cultural identity and understanding Join us this this Saturday 📅 20.03.2025 at 🕚 14.00 as we delve into discussions on how visual storytelling has evolved over three decades of South African democracy. #CreativeUprising @easigaspty @rubismecenat @constitution_hill @bashauhuru