Images by john robinson (Lightstalkers) http://www.lightstalkers.org/john-robinson john robinson is a contemporary africa based photojournalist, he was born, turned 21, voted, and got his first job in ndola zambia, he is now living in south africa. he is a photographer with both film and digital cameras, and is privileged to sit in a while or just spend a moment or two in the lives of others and come away with images that convey an essence or aspect of what went on at that time. john has had these opportunities for about 16 years and is privileged to have spent these moments with many other african people. He looks forward to these opportunities be they up the street, across the river or demanding of a packed bag, air tickets, extra music and some reading material. john came from a visual design background. he is a graduate of the market theater photo workshop 1992/1995, and photojournalism with the institute for the advancement of journalism in south africa 1998. he is an ongoing participant at news university, a project of the poynter institute. john is now represented by zuma press, and he remains affiliated to south photographs. south photographs is a unique constellation of south african photographers, passionate about their country and their continent, joined together in their commitment to image the undercurrents of life. south photographers have explored and documented south africa for a period of over forty years. the body of work is characterised by an approach that goes beyond the news. the collective vision reflects our social landscape, its people, its history and its survival in the continent and the world. south photographs houses a strong historical section on the resistance and protest against apartheid during the eighties and early nineties as well significant figures from that time. with the advent of democracy in south africa, many south african photographers have been freed up to reinvent themselves and explore their world with freshness and new purpose. john can be commissioned directly, he provides images for national and international print and new media and international developmental partnerships. john teaches, and is involved in photographic education. en-us no space to breathe. mountain rise cemetery, january 2008 pietermaritzburg kwazulu-natal south africa. a young girl and flowers at the grave side of an elderly aunt. i have put this series of images together against the backdrop of living a city that seems to be dying all around me.Êsomething must be wrong when so many people are dead and buried, so close, so fast and so often. while i walked among the graves making these images i asked questions of family members; what happened? why are these people are dying? i was told that he were just old (thank god) others, well they were sick, or stabbed with a knife, she just died, and, well you know my friend these things just happen now. what ever the medical details might be in each case, i do know that many many people are dying and that mountain rise cemetery is often the place where the remains are interned. i walked around mountain rise cemetery with a camera noting down how the earth is dug up and the remains of loved ones are buried and how nature claims back the land as if it was never given out. if the simple wooden cross is not replaced by a solid stone marker in a year or so nothing remains of the grave bar a small cement brick with a grave number cast in it. i found the families of the departed open to me being there noting the state of the graves, whether they were in the process of burying or returning to the site to tend the grave of their mother. i stopped and talked to a young guy who had come to prepare a grave for his brother's daughter funeral and the title of this essay was handed to me on a plate, he spoke about how the ancestors were once buried next to the home and it was easy to communicate with the departed, there was plenty of space and the grave could be prepared in the proper manner, but with the situation in the townships there is no space to do this and so the municipal cemetery will have to do. i asked him where he wanted to be buried some day and he laughed and said not here, there is n <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/491777/ipjr1199no_space_to_breathe0715_small.jpg' /><br />no space to breathe. mountain rise cemetery, january 2008 pietermaritzburg kwazulu-natal south africa. a young girl and flowers at the grave side of an elderly aunt. i have put this series of images together against the backdrop of living a city that seems to be dying all around me.Êsomething must be wrong when so many people are dead and buried, so close, so fast and so often. while i walked among the graves making these images i asked questions of family members; what happened? why are these people are dying? i was told that he were just old (thank god) others, well they were sick, or stabbed with a knife, she just died, and, well you know my friend these things just happen now. what ever the medical details might be in each case, i do know that many many people are dying and that mountain rise cemetery is often the place where the remains are interned. i walked around mountain rise cemetery with a camera noting down how the earth is dug up and the remains of loved ones are buried and how nature claims back the land as if it was never given out. if the simple wooden cross is not replaced by a solid stone marker in a year or so nothing remains of the grave bar a small cement brick with a grave number cast in it. i found the families of the departed open to me being there noting the state of the graves, whether they were in the process of burying or returning to the site to tend the grave of their mother. i stopped and talked to a young guy who had come to prepare a grave for his brother's daughter funeral and the title of this essay was handed to me on a plate, he spoke about how the ancestors were once buried next to the home and it was easy to communicate with the departed, there was plenty of space and the grave could be prepared in the proper manner, but with the situation in the townships there is no space to do this and so the municipal cemetery will have to do. i asked him where he wanted to be buried some day and he laughed and said not here, there is n<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491777'>no space to breathe. mountain rise cemetery, january 2008 pietermaritzburg kwazulu-natal south africa. a young girl and flowers at the grave side of an elderly aunt. i have put this series of images together against the backdrop of living a city that seems to be dying all around me.Êsomething must be wrong when so many people are dead and buried, so close, so fast and so often. while i walked among the graves making these images i asked questions of family members; what happened? why are these people are dying? i was told that he were just old (thank god) others, well they were sick, or stabbed with a knife, she just died, and, well you know my friend these things just happen now. what ever the medical details might be in each case, i do know that many many people are dying and that mountain rise cemetery is often the place where the remains are interned. i walked around mountain rise cemetery with a camera noting down how the earth is dug up and the remains of loved ones are buried and how nature claims back the land as if it was never given out. if the simple wooden cross is not replaced by a solid stone marker in a year or so nothing remains of the grave bar a small cement brick with a grave number cast in it. i found the families of the departed open to me being there noting the state of the graves, whether they were in the process of burying or returning to the site to tend the grave of their mother. i stopped and talked to a young guy who had come to prepare a grave for his brother's daughter funeral and the title of this essay was handed to me on a plate, he spoke about how the ancestors were once buried next to the home and it was easy to communicate with the departed, there was plenty of space and the grave could be prepared in the proper manner, but with the situation in the townships there is no space to do this and so the municipal cemetery will have to do. i asked him where he wanted to be buried some day and he laughed and said not here, there is n</a> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:43 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491777 a child from a community on the outskirts of maputo stands in front of disused housing - part of an old orphanage �John Robinson/South Photographs africa afrika afrique african people third world life portrait portray feature mozambique development legal justice law gender housing social issues homeless <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/491798/ipjr0968mozambique_child7105_small.jpg' /><br />a child from a community on the outskirts of maputo stands in front of disused housing - part of an old orphanage �John Robinson/South Photographs africa afrika afrique african people third world life portrait portray feature mozambique development legal justice law gender housing social issues homeless<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491798'>a child from a community on the outskirts of maputo stands in front of disused housing - part of an old orphanage �John Robinson/South Photographs africa afrika afrique african people third world life portrait portray feature mozambique development legal justice law gender housing social issues homeless</a> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:43 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491798 libres et justes (free and fair) congolese electorial law demands that party political posters must be removed from public space prior to the election day the democratic republic of congo held the first round of elections (30 july 2006) in 45 years of the country's history. the electorate were asked to elect members of parliment and a president of state. these images are an edit from material produced for mcc and the ecc urgent peace project � john robinson/mcc/south photographs elections vote kinshasa democratic republic of congo republique democratique du congo mcc ecc urgent peace project africa afrique voters education <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/491810/ipjr1061libres_et_justes0106_small.jpg' /><br />libres et justes (free and fair) congolese electorial law demands that party political posters must be removed from public space prior to the election day the democratic republic of congo held the first round of elections (30 july 2006) in 45 years of the country's history. the electorate were asked to elect members of parliment and a president of state. these images are an edit from material produced for mcc and the ecc urgent peace project � john robinson/mcc/south photographs elections vote kinshasa democratic republic of congo republique democratique du congo mcc ecc urgent peace project africa afrique voters education <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491810'>libres et justes (free and fair) congolese electorial law demands that party political posters must be removed from public space prior to the election day the democratic republic of congo held the first round of elections (30 july 2006) in 45 years of the country's history. the electorate were asked to elect members of parliment and a president of state. these images are an edit from material produced for mcc and the ecc urgent peace project � john robinson/mcc/south photographs elections vote kinshasa democratic republic of congo republique democratique du congo mcc ecc urgent peace project africa afrique voters education </a> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:43 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491810 Jantique Mozambique Women using what ever they have at hand collect water from a water point and return to their husbands and children During and after the heavy rains in Southern Africa and Mozambique in February 2000, and the consequential flooding of the surrounding areas a severe shortage of drinking water prevailed in the emergency relief camps along the Limpopo River in Mozambique. Jantique is the name of a small stream flowing out of a catchment area a short distance from one of the emergency relief camps. Once this water was chlorinated it supplied drinking water to about 5000 people at the Samora Machel camp. �John Robinson/South Photographs mocambique water flood mother and child <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/491819/ipjr0222jantique2221_small.jpg' /><br />Jantique Mozambique Women using what ever they have at hand collect water from a water point and return to their husbands and children During and after the heavy rains in Southern Africa and Mozambique in February 2000, and the consequential flooding of the surrounding areas a severe shortage of drinking water prevailed in the emergency relief camps along the Limpopo River in Mozambique. Jantique is the name of a small stream flowing out of a catchment area a short distance from one of the emergency relief camps. Once this water was chlorinated it supplied drinking water to about 5000 people at the Samora Machel camp. �John Robinson/South Photographs mocambique water flood mother and child <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491819'>Jantique Mozambique Women using what ever they have at hand collect water from a water point and return to their husbands and children During and after the heavy rains in Southern Africa and Mozambique in February 2000, and the consequential flooding of the surrounding areas a severe shortage of drinking water prevailed in the emergency relief camps along the Limpopo River in Mozambique. Jantique is the name of a small stream flowing out of a catchment area a short distance from one of the emergency relief camps. Once this water was chlorinated it supplied drinking water to about 5000 people at the Samora Machel camp. �John Robinson/South Photographs mocambique water flood mother and child </a> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:43 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491819 Rumbek Al Buhayrat Sudan The New Sudan The face of the choir master and the hands of the members of the choir. The returned people, the war in the south of the Sudan has been around for 50 years. The Rumbek Peace Choir was formed out of five local choirs, each contributing a few members. "music is like a newspaper, through our music we communicate the message of peace" �John Robinson/MCC/South Photographs africa afrika afrique sudan The New Sudan war refugee refugees returned exiles exile education reconstruction villagers villager village food <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/491825/ipjr0944south_sudan1634_small.jpg' /><br />Rumbek Al Buhayrat Sudan The New Sudan The face of the choir master and the hands of the members of the choir. The returned people, the war in the south of the Sudan has been around for 50 years. The Rumbek Peace Choir was formed out of five local choirs, each contributing a few members. "music is like a newspaper, through our music we communicate the message of peace" �John Robinson/MCC/South Photographs africa afrika afrique sudan The New Sudan war refugee refugees returned exiles exile education reconstruction villagers villager village food <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491825'>Rumbek Al Buhayrat Sudan The New Sudan The face of the choir master and the hands of the members of the choir. The returned people, the war in the south of the Sudan has been around for 50 years. The Rumbek Peace Choir was formed out of five local choirs, each contributing a few members. "music is like a newspaper, through our music we communicate the message of peace" �John Robinson/MCC/South Photographs africa afrika afrique sudan The New Sudan war refugee refugees returned exiles exile education reconstruction villagers villager village food </a> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:43 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491825 the karimojong people. iriiri town and surounding area north eastern uganda. the karimojong people are a cattle wealth based tribe. much depends on the availability of water and pasture for herds of cattle and goats in an area that is prone to drought. feuding over water and pasture has been an issue for many years between the karimojog clans and the iteso people in adjoining areas. �John Robinson/MCC/South Photographs africa afrika afrique african people third world life portrait portray feature iteso karimojong lords resistance army lra rebel internially displaced people idp democracy elections multi party cattle cattle raiding herding goats graves child soldiers kidnaped children N.B. PLEASE USE DISCRETION IN THE PUBLICATION OF THESE IMAGES. UGANDA IS EMERGING FROM MANY YEARS OF INSTABILITY PLEASE CONSULT AUTHOR IF IN DOUBT. <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/491828/ipjr1024irriri_child7914_small.jpg' /><br />the karimojong people. iriiri town and surounding area north eastern uganda. the karimojong people are a cattle wealth based tribe. much depends on the availability of water and pasture for herds of cattle and goats in an area that is prone to drought. feuding over water and pasture has been an issue for many years between the karimojog clans and the iteso people in adjoining areas. �John Robinson/MCC/South Photographs africa afrika afrique african people third world life portrait portray feature iteso karimojong lords resistance army lra rebel internially displaced people idp democracy elections multi party cattle cattle raiding herding goats graves child soldiers kidnaped children N.B. PLEASE USE DISCRETION IN THE PUBLICATION OF THESE IMAGES. UGANDA IS EMERGING FROM MANY YEARS OF INSTABILITY PLEASE CONSULT AUTHOR IF IN DOUBT.<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491828'>the karimojong people. iriiri town and surounding area north eastern uganda. the karimojong people are a cattle wealth based tribe. much depends on the availability of water and pasture for herds of cattle and goats in an area that is prone to drought. feuding over water and pasture has been an issue for many years between the karimojog clans and the iteso people in adjoining areas. �John Robinson/MCC/South Photographs africa afrika afrique african people third world life portrait portray feature iteso karimojong lords resistance army lra rebel internially displaced people idp democracy elections multi party cattle cattle raiding herding goats graves child soldiers kidnaped children N.B. PLEASE USE DISCRETION IN THE PUBLICATION OF THESE IMAGES. UGANDA IS EMERGING FROM MANY YEARS OF INSTABILITY PLEASE CONSULT AUTHOR IF IN DOUBT.</a> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:43 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491828 visiting mom My mother spent most of her time sitting in her room sucking tea through a straw At the time when my mothers independence failed her, my daughter Erin's (1) was just developing. These seven images are aspects of an interaction between an old lady nearing the end of her life and a little girl who is only starting out on her's. We are all somewhere between these two points. These images were taken during family visits to the frail care centre where my mother spent the last few months of her life on this earth. �John Robinson/South Photographs africa afrika afrique aged ageing disabled elderly frail <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/491837/ipjr0741mother0200_small.jpg' /><br />visiting mom My mother spent most of her time sitting in her room sucking tea through a straw At the time when my mothers independence failed her, my daughter Erin's (1) was just developing. These seven images are aspects of an interaction between an old lady nearing the end of her life and a little girl who is only starting out on her's. We are all somewhere between these two points. These images were taken during family visits to the frail care centre where my mother spent the last few months of her life on this earth. �John Robinson/South Photographs africa afrika afrique aged ageing disabled elderly frail <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491837'>visiting mom My mother spent most of her time sitting in her room sucking tea through a straw At the time when my mothers independence failed her, my daughter Erin's (1) was just developing. These seven images are aspects of an interaction between an old lady nearing the end of her life and a little girl who is only starting out on her's. We are all somewhere between these two points. These images were taken during family visits to the frail care centre where my mother spent the last few months of her life on this earth. �John Robinson/South Photographs africa afrika afrique aged ageing disabled elderly frail </a> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:43 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491837 libres et justes (free and fair) elegance and the ballot box, a woman places her choice. the democratic republic of congo held the first round of elections (30 july 2006) in 45 years of the country's history. the electorate were asked to elect members of parliment and a president of state. these images are an edit from material produced for mcc and the ecc urgent peace project � john robinson/mcc/south photographs elections vote kinshasa democratic republic of congo republique democratique du congo mcc ecc urgent peace project africa afrique voters education <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/491843/ipjr1061libres_et_justes4821_small.jpg' /><br />libres et justes (free and fair) elegance and the ballot box, a woman places her choice. the democratic republic of congo held the first round of elections (30 july 2006) in 45 years of the country's history. the electorate were asked to elect members of parliment and a president of state. these images are an edit from material produced for mcc and the ecc urgent peace project � john robinson/mcc/south photographs elections vote kinshasa democratic republic of congo republique democratique du congo mcc ecc urgent peace project africa afrique voters education <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491843'>libres et justes (free and fair) elegance and the ballot box, a woman places her choice. the democratic republic of congo held the first round of elections (30 july 2006) in 45 years of the country's history. the electorate were asked to elect members of parliment and a president of state. these images are an edit from material produced for mcc and the ecc urgent peace project � john robinson/mcc/south photographs elections vote kinshasa democratic republic of congo republique democratique du congo mcc ecc urgent peace project africa afrique voters education </a> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:43 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491843 Rumbek Al Buhayrat Sudan The New Sudan "Give us an education" Rebbeca Akoi The returned people, the war in the south of the Sudan has been around for 50 years. The students of rumbek, these students have been at war or at least affected by war. They could be orphens, they have run fromwar. For their age they should be in university, they are still working on their high school education... �John Robinson/MCC/South Photographs africa afrika afrique sudan The New Sudan war refugee refugees returned exiles exile education reconstruction villagers villager village food <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/491861/ipjr0944south_sudan1713_small.jpg' /><br />Rumbek Al Buhayrat Sudan The New Sudan "Give us an education" Rebbeca Akoi The returned people, the war in the south of the Sudan has been around for 50 years. The students of rumbek, these students have been at war or at least affected by war. They could be orphens, they have run fromwar. For their age they should be in university, they are still working on their high school education... �John Robinson/MCC/South Photographs africa afrika afrique sudan The New Sudan war refugee refugees returned exiles exile education reconstruction villagers villager village food <br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491861'>Rumbek Al Buhayrat Sudan The New Sudan "Give us an education" Rebbeca Akoi The returned people, the war in the south of the Sudan has been around for 50 years. The students of rumbek, these students have been at war or at least affected by war. They could be orphens, they have run fromwar. For their age they should be in university, they are still working on their high school education... �John Robinson/MCC/South Photographs africa afrika afrique sudan The New Sudan war refugee refugees returned exiles exile education reconstruction villagers villager village food </a> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:43 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491861 brugara dance method school kids dance games alexandra township south africa �John Robinson/South Photographs africa afrika afrique african people third world life portrait portray feature <img src='http://images.lightstalkers.org/images/491867/ipjr0198dance0121_small.jpg' /><br />brugara dance method school kids dance games alexandra township south africa �John Robinson/South Photographs africa afrika afrique african people third world life portrait portray feature<br /><a href='http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491867'>brugara dance method school kids dance games alexandra township south africa �John Robinson/South Photographs africa afrika afrique african people third world life portrait portray feature</a> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:58:43 +0000 http://www.lightstalkers.org/images/show/491867