He is currently Chief Photographer at the Mail & Gaurdian Newspaper.
Black Middle Class/ Black Diamonds
The term "Black Diamonds" is a name given to the new black economic and political elite of South Africa. They are a diverse group, ranging from youth who are still living at home and studying, start-me-ups’ who are starting out in a big wide world and families that have young kids and work for local or multinational co-operations.
The growth of this class is one of the signal successes of the post-apartheid government. The increasing gulf between the incomes and prospects of the rich and the poor (which political and economic cronyism have only exacerbated) is its overwhelming failure. The Black Diamonds remain intimately connected to South Africa's townships, where, in fact, many of them continue to live.
Captions:
Oupa Nkosi 1 - Thabo Eugene Phajane Jr. being baptised with his both parents with him at the Regina Mondi Church in Soweto.
Oupa Nkosi 2 - Kids learning how to play violin taught by the Acosa Music instructor at the Mbuyisa Makhoba Primary School in Phefeni, Soweto.
Oupa Nkosi 3 - Tebogo Dolamo (38) IT Operations Manager at Tsogo Sun in Fourways, Johannesburg.
Oupa Nkosi 4 - Tebogo Dolamo (38) IT Operations Manager at Tsogo Sun in Fourways, Johannesburg. He grow up in Soweto and attended private schools and never had a study loan. He sees no difference between his non black peers and does not like the idea of been classified as a black middle class.
Oupa Nkosi 5 - Thandeka Khoza taking selfies during the flea market in Phefeni, Soweto.
Oupa Nkosi 6 - Lesego Phiri (29) Marketing Specialist for one of the biggest German car company in Johannesburg. Driving out of the Morningside Mall after having breakfast.
Oupa Nkosi 7 - Lesego Phiri (29) Marketing Specialist for one of the biggest German car company in Johannesburg. Spoiling herself with a facial treat and a massage at the Placecol Beauty Centre at the Irene Village Mall in Centurion.
Oupa Nkosi 8 - A young rider learning how to horseride at the Soweto Equastrian.
Oupa Nkosi 9 - Soweto township has developed so much in the past 14 years and a lot of businesses have generated a lot of money. Tourists and the South African black middle class that have moved to the suburbs in the north of Johannesburg, frequenlty visit the township to have fun and eat good food at a low cost. Places like Panyaza in Rockville, Soweto have benefited from this and more people are coming for it's overwhelming atsmophere.
Oupa Nkosi 10 - A traditional wedding between Jooinji Mdyogolo ( South African) and Marc Zandhuis (Dutch) at her parents home farm plot in Johannesburg.
Website
http://www.onphotography.co.za/
