Ndiyayekelela

Ndiyayekelela (Letting go) embodies the artist’s struggle to come to terms with the loss of her father - a migrant worker in the rural Eastern Cape, where Nqaba was raised. Using symbolic materials that recall her past, Nqaba battles with feelings of guilt, fondness, and confusion - reinforcing her physical presence. The artist’s movements - together with the carefully selected materials - conjure up old memories, bringing them to life through photography.

The workers' overalls and blankets (used in poor communities) tell the story of many South Africans - defined by their role in the working class. Much like the bags in 'Umaskhenkethe Likhaya Lam', the overalls and blankets represent the impermanence of home space, and the search to find comfort in the familiar: to carry a part 'home' with you, and to come to grips with the burden of its weight. Continuing the conversation on migrancy, Nqaba physically confronts and challenges (the value of) the materials, which in turn take on their own agency.

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Zola III
i

Zola III

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Ndinikezele
i

Ndinikezele

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Zola I
i

Zola I

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Undibizela kuwe IV
i

Undibizela kuwe IV

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Ndisilwa I
i

Ndisilwa I

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Ndisilwa II
i

Ndisilwa II

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Ndisilwa III
i

Ndisilwa III

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Undibizela kuwe II
i

Undibizela kuwe II

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Undibizela kuwe III
i

Undibizela kuwe III

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Ndikhangela wena
i

Ndikhangela wena

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Undibizela kuwe I
i

Undibizela kuwe I

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Guquka
i

Guquka

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Zola II
i

Zola II

© Nobukho Nqaba  - Noxa ukwelemimoya, uyandisinda
i

Noxa ukwelemimoya, uyandisinda

Latest Projects

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Stay in the loop


We will send you weekly news on contemporary photography. You can change your mind at any time. We will treat your data with respect. For more information please visit our privacy policy. By ticking here, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with them. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.