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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National

Children's photos from Johannesburg townships

Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
Ghetto love

At first glance, this a photo of a township full of trash and rubble. A second look reveals two buddies walking along arm in arm – as one student put it, 'brother love no matter what'.
Photograph: Joao Nzina
Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
Sky's the limit

Joao is one of the tallest members of Umuzi Photo Club – which allowed him to take this aerial view of one of the shortest football fans in Soweto.
Photograph: Joao Nzina
Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
Ama chips for lunch

A neighbourhood boy carries a sack of potatoes. The young photographer thought he would be having chips for lunch.
Photograph: Siyabonga Sepotpkele
Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
'When it's cold, the shack is also cold'

Life in an 'informal settlement' means little shelter and no electricity or running water.

One youngster said: 'When it's cold, the shack is also cold. When it's raining, the shack is also raining. When it's hot, the shack is also hot.'
Photograph: Captain Moradu
Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
I'll do whatever it takes to go back home

This is a portrait of a street child who clings to her bible as she tells the young photographer that she would do nearly anything to get back home to her family
Photograph: Tshepang Chevron Masemo
Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
Fake out

After school and on weekends, the streets of Soweto are filled with impromptu football matches
Photograph: Thapelo Matsumi
Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
Taxi driver's takeaway

A man makes his living on the roadside selling meat off-cuts to taxi drivers. This 'fast food' is grilled and served on plates. The going rate is three rand (30p) a hoof
Photograph: Tshepang Chevron Masemo
Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
Zulu dance

A weekend dance practice draws a crowd. The photographer herself is a member of a Zulu dance troupe
Photograph: Mandisa Shongwe
Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
Community portrait

Three gentlemen share a jug of sorghum beer at a shebeen in Soweto.
Photograph: Mandisa Shongwe
Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
Sowetan landscape

A football match on the playing fields of Soweto. In the foreground, the pile of litter points to the lack of services in the township. But in the background, a new bus shows there have been much needed improvements to the transport system.
Photograph: Captain Moradu
Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
Kwena, my cousin

Many of the photographers are producing portraits of family members. Kwena has just finished having a wash at this outside sink.
Photograph: Captain Moradu
Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
Home security system

For residents of the Johannesburg suburbs, security means alarms, high walls and electric fences. In the townships, where crime is even more rife, the job must be left to a padlock and chain.
Photograph: Mathlodi Monnakgotla
Umuzi photo club: Umuzi photo club
Keep your eye on the ball

The young photographers are hopeful about the benefits the World Cup may bring, but they are also sceptical. 'This is Fifa's World Cup, not Africa's,' they say. Not one student at the Umuzi Photo Club has a ticket for any of the matches.

A signed and numbered print of this image will be auctioned at the London exhibition.
Photograph: Captain Moradu
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