The many meanings of water: The elements in Thobani K’s photography
13 Feb 2021
Thobani K’s first portrait, an image of his grandfather Bhekindaba Killiam Cele, sets out his modus operandi.
In the 1980s in the then KwaZulu homelands, the areas of KwaNgcolosi, Emaphephetheni and EmaQadini (Eskebheni) were flooded when the Inanda Dam overflowed, disrupting the lives of residents, many of whom lost their homes and small businesses.
One local businesswoman, who owned the Umngeni Drift Store, had a paddle boat which she used to assist locals to cross the Umngeni River to the Ngcolosi area near Molweni. Because of this crucial boat, the Umngeni Drift Store was referred to by the people as Eskebheni (“by the boat”), and even Dusi Canoe Marathon participants used to camp in the store’s yard.