Mobilising Movements Through Imagery

Photography doesn’t just document. It propels movements. From anti-apartheid protests to modern campaigns against gender-based violence, visuals have driven change.

Historical Examples

Apartheid Resistance: Ernest Cole’s photographs of daily life under apartheid exposed the dehumanizing conditions faced by Black South Africans. These images were smuggled out of the country and published internationally, rallying global opposition to apartheid.
Sharpeville Massacre: Images of the 1960 massacre, where police opened fire on unarmed protesters, shocked the world and increased pressure on the apartheid government.
Marikana Massacre (2012): Photos of striking miners being killed by police reignited conversations about labor rights and the deep economic inequalities that remain in post-apartheid South Africa.

Modern-Day Movements

Fees Must Fall (2015): Photos of students clashing with police during protests for free education highlighted ongoing struggles for economic justice. These images galvanized support for the movement across the country.
Gender-Based Violence Protests: Images from demonstrations, such as #AmINext, put faces to the names of victims and pushed gender violence into the national spotlight.

Image by Paul Alberts

Challenges in Capturing Social Injustice

Photographing social injustice isn’t without risks. It often puts the photographer in dangerous or ethically complex situations.

Ethical Dilemmas

Exploitation vs. Documentation: How do you document suffering without exploiting it? Ethical photography requires balancing awareness with dignity.

Misrepresentation: A powerful image can be misleading if stripped of its full context. Photographers must ensure their work reflects the truth.

Privacy Concerns: Capturing someone’s pain without consent can feel invasive. Photographers must tread carefully.

Personal Risks

South African photojournalists often face intimidation, physical harm, or arrest, particularly when documenting protests or government failures.

Freelancers frequently lack institutional support, leaving them financially and legally vulnerable.
Despite these challenges, photographers persist because the cost of silence is greater than the risks they face.

How Photography Sparks Action

Awareness is only the first step. Photography has the unique ability to push people from passive observation to active participation.

Fundraising and Donations

Heart-wrenching images are at the heart of many successful fundraising campaigns. Consider the use of photos highlighting the conditions in informal settlements, which have driven donations to NGOs working to improve access to water and housing.

Policy and Legal Reforms

Images can compel lawmakers to act. Photographic evidence of police brutality or unsafe mining conditions has led to national debates and, in some cases, policy changes.

Social Media’s Amplifying Effect

Platforms like Instagram and Twitter have democratised photography. Now, anyone with a smartphone can document injustice and share it instantly. This makes it harder for those in power to deny responsibility or suppress the truth.

If you’re a photographer passionate about documenting social injustice, here’s how to make your work impactful:

Research Thoroughly: Understand the context before shooting. Meet the people involved and hear their stories.
Be Respectful: Always obtain consent when possible. Treat your subjects with the dignity they deserve.
Stay Authentic: Avoid staging or manipulating scenes. Let the truth speak for itself.
Collaborate With Activists: Partner with NGOs or grassroots movements to amplify your impact.
Distribute Wisely: Share your work on platforms that reach the right audience. Consider pitching to local and international media outlets.

The Future of Photography in Social Justice

As technology evolves, so does photography’s role in documenting injustice. Drones and AI-assisted tools are helping document hard-to-reach areas. Virtual reality is offering immersive ways to experience inequality firsthand.
But with innovation comes responsibility. The rise of doctored images means photographers and viewers alike must remain vigilant in ensuring authenticity.

The role of photography in social injustice is not just to capture moments but to inspire change. It’s a witness and, at times, a catalyst. In South Africa, photography has been a powerful tool for exposing inequality and mobilising action, from the darkest days of apartheid to today’s struggles for equality. As photographers and global citizens, we hold the responsibility to use this medium wisely and ethically. Let’s ensure our images don’t just evoke emotion, they drive action.