Nkululeko Khumalo

GBV through the archival photographs of Works of Len Khumalo

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ABSTRACT

This research explores Len Khumalo's archival photography to examine the abuse of women during the apartheid era and its continued perpetuation in the present. The problem statement lies in the underrepresentation of black South African women's stories regarding their lives and experiences under the oppressive apartheid regime.

 

This paper aims to reflect on and capture these narratives and oral histories through Khumalo's analogue images, focusing on the period from the 1970s to the early 2000s. The theoretical framework employs documentary photographic memory, acknowledging that the photographer's recollections shape the narrative, introducing the potential for variations in stories over time.

 

The research methods involve analyzing Khumalo's photographic documentary archives, which capture significant moments of his life and the trauma experienced by women, as well as the photographer himself. This paper contributes by providing a visual and historical record of the overt and covert ways women were socialized into accepting abuse and domestic roles, while also highlighting stories of women who challenged these limitations.

 

It further explores the normalization of abuse, the weaponization of love in these dynamics, and features iconic figures like Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Brenda Fassie, alongside ordinary women, to illustrate the complexity of women's experiences beyond domesticity and abuse. The archival photographs reveal the overt and covert ways in which women are groomed to assume domestic labor roles from a young age or sweep abuse under the carpet.“Haa sa o shape haa o rate” (If he does not beat you up, then he doesn’t love you)
A statement that has been heard by many black girls and women in various forms, across the African diaspora.. The exhibition also offers a public walkabout and professional learning opportunities in art photography for teachers, youth, students, artists, and photographers.

BIOGRAPHY

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Nkululeko Khumalo, a Printmaking Lecturer at the Vaal University of Technology and Independent Art Curator, is passionate about South African historical stories from the Vaal Region. With a master's degree in fine art from Wits University, she focuses on biographical and curatorial practice, examining neglected photographic archives and decolonial narratives within black radical thought. Ms Khumalo is also a Director for the Len Khumalo Foundation, focusing on educational projects and preserving the rich history of the Vaal region through photography, documentary, and video documentary. She is also a Council member for Vaal University of Technology, National Heritage Council, Chairperson of Corporate Service, Board Member for Unisa Gallery, and VUT FM. Khumalo's work aims to bring the rich traditions and artistic expressions of the Vaal region to the forefront of contemporary African visual culture. Ms Khumalo has in addition to this, received international awards of recognition as an curator of various exhibition and Maimi Art Basel.