Mkhulu

LIGHT FROM INSIDE THE DARK ROOM

(Daily News_May 12_2011)

Photobooth

Moses Khubisa [MK] is a lecturer in the Department and is affectionately known a Mkhulu_ which when translated directly in Zulu means "Grandfather". He is currently exhibiting his work @ the DUT Art Gallery. The exhibition runs from the 3 May - 27 May.

Moses says:

 "I am a self-made, professional photographer, a self made teacher_ I have taught people and made a difference in their lives while I was suffering in my life. I have come far." Moses Khubisa (Daily News_May 12_2011)

Moses Khubisa 1970

In partial submission for his Master’s Degree in Photography Moses Khubisa is presenting a body of work at the DUT Art Gallery by members of the Imvunge group of street photographers that illustrates his dissertation titled "A documentation, investigation and evaluation of the Imvunge group of street photographers with specific reference to the development of photographic and business skills (1999-2008)". In addition Khubisa is exhibiting a series of wedding portraits that reflects his growth spanning 30 years behind the lens, first as a self taught street photographer, and later as an academic and lecture teaching photography at the Durban University of Technology. (insert from http://www.dut.ac.za/pages/22367 accessed on 19 May 2011)

From an orphan to the township street photographer to big city success_ that is the story of Moses Khubisa whose passion supported him decades of despair to finally fulfill his dreams" 

Anelisa Kubheka(Daily News_May 12_2011). 

Moses Khubisa: Mr and Mrs Mngadi_ 1973

Moses Khubisa: "Domestic Workers Wedding"_1978

Moses Khubisa: "Mrs Sile Zungu"_ 2009

Chatting with Moses and Bwalya (one of MK's former students) in my office this morning over a cup of tea (of course) Moses told us that the Imvunge group of street photographers was formed in 1999 and that 'Street Photographers' are mostly men from disadvantaged backgrounds who have had no training in Photography. These 'entrepreneurs' set themselves up at streets corners, in parks and at shopping centers equipped with a 35mm camera, displays of their work and offer to photograph passerbys (Bester 1999). I reminded Moses on how I loved how Tony Starkey (MK's supervisor) at the opening of his exhibition told the story of when he asked MK what Imvunge meant and Moses explained that it was the humming noise bees make.  Tony mentioned that he still didn't understand and Moses had to elaborate and said "it's when you look at a photo you say mmmmmm _ and then respond". :)

Imvungu Group_ Bongani Maphumulo 1999

Imvungu Group_ Julius Simbine 1999

Imvungu Group_ Bongani Maphumulo 1999

Then I asked Bwalya and Moses to elaborate a little on the word Mkhulu. We were chatting about how we use it as a term of endearment and shows respect/regard. Moses says he feels comfortable with being called Mkhulu as he says it describes how he feels about his responsibility to take care of all his grandchildren (the students).  He continued to explain that in his growth there had been many gaps and being regarded as the "Grandfather" makes him feel that he is able to cover the gaps with young children because he can be informal and get to know the students better.

Imvungu Group_ Bongani Maphumulo_ Pubity Ritual_ 2001

Moses says: "The secret about being Mkhulu is to say that you know more about how other people feel as they report to you and my growth lies in listening, and comes from the interaction with the students." The first thing that Moses does when he meets students is to introduce himself by telling the students of his history, and then he gets the students to write and tell him about their history.  MK feels that there are many students that share a similar background and by revealing his struggles he hopes that that will motivate them. For those students who have never been in that predicament he hopes that his tales will make them grateful for their parents. MK would like all students to achieve in their lives. Bwalya said: "The secret about Mkhulu doesn't lie in knowing, being the wiser but rather in the listening. Mkhulu does not tell you what to do but rather advises, thus taking the role of an elder".

Congratulations Mkhulu_ an inspiration_ we have come far

☕