Mpumelelo Buthelezi
THE RAW LIFESTYLE
A Solo Exhibition | Artsy Exclusive
Nance field Hostel in Soweto used to be one of the apartheid government’s labour dormitories. It gained the fearsome reputation of the brutal Noxus in the 1990s, due to political violence between hostel dwellers and people living in the surrounding areas. Photographer Mpumelelo Buthelezi captured the mood and the evolving lifestyle inside these ageing buildings, now encircled by informal settlements with an estimated population of 3 000. The hostel is home to many young men and women born here after the advent of democracy in 1994.
They have turned it into a vibrant, though poverty-stricken residential complex boasting one of the busiest Shisa Nyamas called Mutah, which is famous for its chicken and pap menu and is more hygienic than other vendors in the area. The younger generation plays with their peers across the neighbourhood. Michael Mthetwa is a traditional healer known as Bab’ Mnyambose, who has been living here with his three sons since 2000. He was born in KwaZulu-Natal. He says they used to rent these hostel rooms before. Today more men live here with their families. The government long ago undertook to change these hostels into family units, but local residents have transformed the environment into a homely, tolerant and child-friendly one.
The Raw Lifestyle of Hostel Dwellers [011], 2018, Archival Digital Photographic Print, 59.5 × 84.1 cm, Edition of 10
A group of Nance Field Hostel dwellers are pictured having a drink on a Sunday Afternoon amongst themselves. Picture:Mpumelelo Buthelezi
The Raw Lifestyle of Hostel Dwellers [007], 2018, Archival Digital Photographic Print, 84.1 × 59.5 cm, Edition of 10
One of the Nancefield Hostel lady named Trudy is spotted with a candle on her head in her room. She says the reason she puts the candle on her head as a way to deliver herself from the spirit of demons.
The Raw Lifestyle of Hostel Dwellers [004], 2018, Archival Digital Photographic Print, 84.1 × 59.5 cm, Edition of 10
A religious lady is pictured wearing her religous Zion Christian uniform in her place of worship. The Zion Christian church believes or symbolizes the hill of Jerusalem on which the city of David was built. Picture:Mpumelelo Buthelezi
The Raw Lifestyle of Hostel Dwellers [005], 2018, Archival Digital Photographic Print, 59.5 × 84.1 cm, Edition of 10
Nathi Zungu is one of the local resident living in hostel number130 NanceField Hostel,Soweto who makes a living by assisting at a local barbershop around the area. Picture: Mpumelelo Buthelezi
The Raw Lifestyle of Hostel Dwellers [012], 2018, Archival Digital Photographic Print, 59.5 × 84.1 cm, Edition of 10
Left(Sithembiso Madondo) and Thandani Dladla (Right) playing pool at Ndana Tavern. A group young people share a drink while playing a pool at Ndana Tavern, during what supposed to be working hours in Nancefield hostel, Soweto. Many young people wonder the street corners and taverns just to pass time while their prospects of getting employment diminish by day. Picture: Mpumelelo Buthelezi
The Raw Lifestyle of Hostel Dwellers [010], 2018, Archival Digital Photographic Print, 59.5 × 84.1 cm, Editions of 10
Micheal Mthetwa feeding and looking after his goats and sheeps at Nancefield Hostel,Klipspruit in Soweto. Picture: Mpumelelo Buthelezi
The Raw Lifestyle of Hostel Dwellers [002], 2018, Archival Digital Photographic Print, 84.1 × 59.5 cm, Edition of 10
Msotho sells every sort of meat inside NanceField hostel, for an amount of R35 and he started selling meat here since 2008. Picture: Mpumelelo Buthelezi
The Raw Lifestyle of Hostel Dwellers [008], 2018, Archival Digital Photographic Print, 59.5 × 84.1 cm, Edition of 10
The Nancefield Hostel,Kilpsruit in Soweto which was built in the early 1950’s during the era of Apartheid and people are still living in these hostels. Picture: Mpumelelo Buthelezi
The Raw Lifestyle of Hostel Dwellers [006], 2018, Archival Digital Photographic Print, 59.5 × 84.1 cm, Edition of 10
A street hobo is pictured during the early Afternoon hours passing in the streets across the dormintries of NanceField Hostel in Soweto. Picture:Mpumelelo Buthelezi
The Raw Lifestyle of Hostel Dwellers [001], 2018, Archival, Digital Photographic Print, 59.5 × 84.1 cm, Edition of 10
The Nance Field Hostel soccer field in Soweto, is one of the most recently developed soccer field for the youth living in the area.The Hostel is situated next to a Mall called Maponya Mall and a neigbhorhood named Klipspruit in Soweto. Picture:Mpumelelo Buthelezi
The Raw Lifestyle of Hostel Dwellers [003], 2018, Archival Digital Photographic Print, 59.5 × 84.1 cm, Edition of 10
Mhlubulo is the owner of the barbershop in Nancefield hostel who specializes in all sorts of haircuts and his business opens from 6AM until 11PM depending on the business that day. Picture: Mpumelelo Buthelezi
The Raw Lifestyle of Hostel Dwellers [009], 2018, Archival Digital Photographic Print, 59.5 × 84.1 cm, Edition of 10
A group of Nancefield residents at Ndana Tavern in Nancefield hostel are playing pool and having a time of their life. Picture: Mpumelelo Buthelezi