Reika Shucart, an exchange student from United States, approached Stellenbosch Academy for assistance in bringing to life a dream she had. Garyth Bevan(first year photography lecturer), together with first year photography students, Jane Paterson, Megan Mitchell , Wikus De Wet and Robert Bingham have helped make that dream a reality.
Reika’s goal, together with Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography 1st year students is to create a photography exhibition. This project is promoting Kayamandi as a part of Stellenbosch, and shows everyday life in Kayamandi. It will spread awareness of the area as seen through the eyes of the children of the Ikhaya Trust After School Program. It also  gives Kayamandi students an opportunity to acquire the skills to express their creativity through the art of photography. We have provided, through sponsors, disposable cameras and training to the students. This has given them an opportunity to explore the art of photography and increased their knowledge, skills, and experiences in the art.


30 kids of the Ikhaya Trust After School  were given disposable cameras and two hours each to go out and photograph the way they see the world. The students of the Academy followed them and assisted where possible with compositions, viewpoints and angles to shoot from. The afternoon was a wonderful experience for both kids and students, both learning from one another.

The second part of the dream is the exhibition on the 2nd November. Post card prints of all the work are in the process of being printed and these can be purchased by the public that attend the exhibition. All proceeds made will go back into the Kayamandi community. A prize giving will be held for the “young budding photographers”, as well as an auction on the night of items donated by the public and business community.

The most important outcome of this project will be the children's increased sense of self-worth and achievement, combined with the knowledge gained through learning the art of photography. The local community will gain by seeing the lives of the children of Kayamandi through the photographs they take.


EXHIBITION DATE  :            2ND NOVEMBER
VENUE:                                    41 TECHNO RD, TECHNO PARK, STELLEBOSCH