MAMA WATCH in Khayelitsha

224b72_0a07c4d50254486587a1d58243f2cd52.jpg_srz_p_350_271_75_22_0.50_1.20_0MAMA WATCH is a public art project, which can also classify as community development initiative.

Starting in Cape Town, Khayelitsha, they approach the mothers of the community living in Harare and take their portraits; later they paste the huge portraits on a public wall for the wellbeing of the people passing by.

Using photography and street art as crime prevention and a creative way to give the area a sense of safety. The Mamas of the neighborhood replace the bars and the fears in those unpleasant pathways with a soft but strong look.

The inspiration is the ongoing international project INSIDE OUT by street artist JR, which “gives everyone the opportunity to share their portrait and make a statement for what they stand for”.

224b72_b5e05e6745974f5abd92cab87d9e5c17.jpg_srb_p_180_270_75_22_0.50_1.20_0Project description
Curator: Valerie Geselev (Yalla Shoola Arts)
Proposed to conduct an experiment: would it work to use street portraits of mamas for construction of safety and pleasent feeling on the streets? This is her creative attempt on corresponding with the unfamiliar safety obsession around her.

Project manager: Andile Fokazi
As a young graduate of crime prevention initiative, Andile likes communicating with people in his community and aspires to make a change with his actions. He was born and raised in Khayelitsha.

Team:
Some of us are a group of youth called Placemakers that work at VPUU (Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading). Our main objective is to reduce crime in our community and influence young people and those who do crime with the positive mindset to know the path to follow in life.

224b72_9e13a9e50a1e49d895caffa113cdd9f5.jpg_srz_p_330_220_75_22_0.50_1.20_0There is another young gentleman his name is Wandisile Nqeketho he is a young entrepreneur, He also has his own museum called 18 gangster museum with the vision to create gang-free society, where people live in peace and harmony with the values of Ubuntu.

Also there is another young gentleman his name is Lindokuhle Bikisha he is an Up and coming film-maker. He is also an Intern at Hubspace Khayelitsha, where the young entrepreneurs do their work,

As young and determined youth we loved the Mama Watch idea and we would like to participate and  to be part of this innovative solution. This is something new in our community and it has the potential to do great impact with regards to safety in our community.

(Words by Unathi Mkhokeli)

 Photography